Count  Deux-Ponts  was  Colonel  of  one  of  the  French 
Regiments  which  served  in  America  under  Count  Rocham- 
beau,  during  the  Revolution,  and  in  his  Journal  gives  a full 
account  of  the  Siege  of  Yorktown.  It  contains  much  valu- 
able historical  information  concerning  the  campaign  which 
ended  at  Yorktown,  which  cannot  be  found  elsewhere. 


■ 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/mycampaignsiname01deux 


IY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA: 

'i 

A JOURNAL  KEPT  BY 


COUNT  WILLIAM  DE  DEUX-PONTS, 

1780-81. 


gitmslateiT  from  the  Jvmft  IHanu.smjit, 


©litlj  ait  introduction  anb  flolîs, 


BY 

SAMUEL  ABBOTT  GREEK 


BOSTON  : 

J.  K.  WIGGIN  AND  WM.  PARSONS  LUNT. 

1 8 6 8. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868, 

By  Samuel  A.  Green, 

in  the  Clerk’s  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


973-  3? 

M, 


TO  THE 

OFFICERS  AND  MEN 


OF  THE 

TWENTY-FOURTH  REGIMENT 


OF 

MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS, 

Who  were  in  service  at  some  of  the  places  mentioned  in  these 
pages,  this  record  of  a Military  Campaign  is  affectionately 
inscribed  by  their  Comrade  and  Surgeon  during 
more  than  three  years  of  the  Great  Rebellion. 


INTRODUCTION. 


While  strolling  on  one  of  the  quays  in  Paris,  in  June,  1867, 1 
picked  up  this  journal  at  a second-hand  hook  stall.  The  owner 
knew  nothing  more  of  its  previous  history  than  that  it  was  bought 
a few  weeks  before,  in  the  province  of  Lorraine.  It  purports  to 
have  been  written  by  “ Conte  G-.  de  Deux  Pouts,”  and  this  is  fully 
confirmed  by  the  evidence  drawn  from  its  pages.  The  volume 
had  apparently  been  prized,  as  it  was  handsomely  bound  in  green 
morocco,  and  ornamented  with  uncommon  taste.  A cover  or  cap 
had  been  neatly  fitted  over  the  front  of  the  volume,  and  fastened 
with  a silver  lock  set  into  the  binding.  The  key  had  been  lost, 
and  some  one  had  torn  off  the  cap,  so  that  the  hook  could  he 
opened.  The  writing  covers  a hundred  and  fifty-two  pages;  and 
in  the  margin,  which  comprises  half  the  width  of  the  leaf,  the 
writer  has  put  occasional  notes.  At  the  end  of  the  diary,  three 
letters  are  copied  in  the  handwriting  of  the  diarist,  which  explain 
themselves.  They  bear  so  closely  on  his  military  history,  that 
he  doubtless  wanted  to  keep  them  with  the  record  of  his  Amer- 
ican campaigns.  In  these  letters,  the  name  is  always  written 
“ Cte  Guillaume  des  Deuxponts.” 

The  journal  is  published  as  it  was  written  by  the  author,  and  it 
is  meant  to  be  a faithful  copy  of  the  manuscript  in  all  particulars. 
The  punctuation  and  accents  are  given  as  they  are  found.  What- 
ever I have  inserted  is  enclosed  in  brackets.  When  facts  are 
mentioned,  which  have  been  stated  by  other  writers,  their  ac- 


Vlll 


INTRODUCTION. 


counts  also  are  frequently  given  in  foot-notes  to  the  translation, 
and  generally  in  their  exact  words.  This  is  done  to  show  the 
accuracy  of  the  diarist’s  statements,  which  in  the  main  are  cor- 
roborated by  these  writers. 

Reference  to  such  notes,  as  well  as  to  my  own,  is  made  by 
means  of  figures,  to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  Count  Wil- 
liam, which  are  indicated  by  asterisks,  etc. 

There  is  internal  evidence  that  the  journal  was  written  at  the 
time  of  the  events  which  it  describes,  though  it  was  probably 
copied  into  the  volume  at  a later  period.  From  the  fact  that  the 
date  of  one  of  the  letters  at  the  end  of  the  volume  (p.  157)  is  in- 
correctly given  as  1783,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  copy  was 
made  at  that  time. 

Finding  that  the  family  of  Deux-Ponts  was  connected  with 
some  of  the  reigning  families  of  Central  Europe,  I mentioned  this 
fact  to  Mr.  George  Ticknor,  who  is  honored  on  both  sides  of  the 
ocean  for  his  scholarship,  and  he  kindly  offered  to  procure  from  a 
very  high  source  in  Germany,  some  account  of  the  author  of  the 
diary.  Having  availed  myself  of  this  offer,  I am  enabled  to  give, 
on  unquestionable  authority,  certain  facts  which  would  not  have 
been  accessible  to  me  under  any  other  circumstances.  I am  there- 
fore under  the  deepest  obligation  to  the  eminent  personage  who 
has  furnished  the  account  in  German,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing facts  are  taken.  It  was  sent  to  Mr.  Ticknor,  and  by  him 
placed  at  my  disposal. 

The  Barons  of  Zweibrück  or  Deux-Ponts,  who  have  now  become 
extinct,  were  descended  from  Duke  Christian  of  Zweibrück,  the 
uncle  of  King  Maximilian  I.,  of  Bavaria,  and  from  a French 
person  named  Fontenay,  who  had  been,  if  only  for  a short  time, 
a danseuse , and  who  afterwards  received  the  title  of  Baroness  von 
Forbach.  Whether  the  duke  entered  into  a morganatic  mar- 
riage with  her  cannot  be  ascertained  with  certainty;  but  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


brothei'  of  the  baroness  is  said  to  have  declared  such  a marriage 
at  the  death  of  the  duke,  in  his  name.  At  any  rate,  the  sons  of 
this  union  were  not  admitted  to  the  succession,  so  that  Christian’s 
nephew,  Charles,  the  elder  brother  of  King  Maximilian,  succeeded 
to  the  dukedom.  Christian’s  two  sons,  Christian  and  William,  at 
first  bore  their  mother’s  name,  and  afterwards  that  of  Barons  of 
Zweibriick. 

From  this  it  appears  that  they  were  the  children  of  a German 
father  and  of  a French  mother.  Hence  they  were  much  connected 
with  France;  and  they  married  afterwards,  ladies  of  the  highest 
French  aristocracy;  William*  married  a cousin  of  the  well-known 
Polignac,  (a  Polignac  or  a Polastron,f)  and  Christian,  a Bethune. 

After  the  French  Revolution  both  brothers  lived  in  Bavaria. 

Baron  Christian  commanded  the  Bavarian  Auxiliary  Corps,  at 
the  unfortunate  battle  of  Hohenlinden,  in  1800,  with  such  distinc- 
tion that,  when  the  order  of  Maximilian  Joseph  was  founded,  he 
received  the  Grand  Cross  of  the  order  for  his  conduct  in  that  bat- 
tle. He  left  no  son,  but  two  daughters;  Eleonore,  married  to 
Count  Gravenreuth,  who  finally  became  President  for  the  Gov- 
ernment ( Regierungs  Prasidenf)  at  Augsburg;  and  Casimira,  mar- 
ried, first,  to  Colonel  Count  Wittgenstein,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of 
Mohaisk  (Borodino),  and  secondly,  to  General  Count  Anton  Rech- 
berg. 

Baron  William,  the  author  of  the  journal,  to  whom  King  Maxi- 
milian was  especially  attached,  was  always,  as  Captain  of  the 
Gardes  du  Corps, % Commandant  of  the  Palace  Guard,  the  so- 
called  Hartschiere,  a post  of  honor  at  the  Bavarian  Court.  He 

* In  March  1780,  he  writes  in  his  journal,  that  “ it  was  only  two  months  since  I was 
married.”  See  page  76. 

j Prince  Jules  de  Polignac  was  son  of  the  Duke  de  Polignac  and  of  Yolande  Martine 
Gahrielle  de  Polastron,  Duchess  de  Polignac,  the  friend  of  Queen  Marie  Antoinette. 

I Called  in  the  Almanach  de  Gotha  one  of  the  “ Grandes  Charges  de  la  Cour.” 

2 


X 


INTRODUCTION'. 


had  two  sons,  Charles  and  Christian,  both  in  the  Bavarian  service. 
The  first,  a distinguished  cavalry  officer,  died  of  wounds  received 
at  the  battle  of  Mohaisk  (Borodino),  and  lies  buried  in  that  place. 
Christian  was  Adjutant  to  King  Maximilian,  and  finally  became, 
like  his  father,  Captain  of  the  Guards.  He  married  a Countess 
Recliberg,  but  he  died  childless.*  Besides  these  two  sons,  Baron 
William  had  also  two  daughters,  Arianne  Barouess  Celto,  and 
Henriette  Marquise  Virien. 

Baron  William  died  sixteen  years  before  his  brother. 

From  some  manuscripts  belonging  to  the  Pennsylvania  Histori- 
cal Society,  I gather  a few  additional  facts  in  regard  to  these 
brothers,  as  well  as  to  their  regiment.  These  manuscripts  com- 
prise the  Etats  de  Service  of  the  French  officers,  -who  served  in 
this  country  under  Rochambeau,  and  are  copies  from  the  original 
documents  in  the  War  Department  at  Paris,  made  in  June  1849, 
for  the  Honorable  Richard  Rush,  while  Minister  to  France.  The 
following  is  a translation  from  this  Source  : 

“ (Royal  deux  Pouts.)  The  regiment  went  to  North  America 
and  remained  there  during  1780,  ’81,  ’82,  and  ’83.  It  had  made 
the  campaigns  of  1757,  ’58,  ’59,  ’60,  ’61,  and  ’62,  in  Germany. 

“ Colonel.  Count  de  Forbach,  Marquis  des  Deux  Ponts  (Chris- 
tian) born  on  the  20th  of  October,  1752,  at  Deux  Ponts.  Rank  of 
Second  Lieutenant  without  pay,  April  20th,  1768.  Colonel  of  the 
regiment  in  1775.  Distinguished  conduct  at  York. 

“ Lieutenant-Colonel.  Count  de  Forbach  des  Deux  Ponts 
(Guillaume)  born  on  the  18th  of  June,  1754,  atDeux  Pouts.  Rank 
of  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  regiment,  November  12th,  1778. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  this  Regiment,  October  2d,  1779.  Wounded 
at  the  siege  of  York  in  1781.” 


* He  married,  August  4th,  1818,  Caroline,  Countess  Rechberg;  was  a Cavalry  Gen- 
eral in  the  Bavarian  army,  and  died  April  25th,  1859.  She  was  born  June  25th,  1798, 
and  is  still  living.  Almanach  de  Gotha,  for  1868.  p.  321. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XI 


The  title  of  Count  borne  by  these  brothers  was  no  doubt  a 
French  one,  and  was  discarded  when  they  returned  to  enter  the 
service  of  their  German  relations.  The  Abbé  Robin,  in  his  Nouveau 
Voyage  dans  V Amérique  Septentrionale , Philadelphie*  [Paris],  1783, 
p.  129,  calls  him  “ Compte  Guillaume  de  Deux-Ponts,”  and  says 
that  he  was  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regiment  “ Royal-Deux- 
Ponts.”  Mr.  Dawson,  in  his  Battles  of  the  United  States,  vol.  i.  p. 
742,  speaks  of  him  as  “Count  William  Forbach  de  Deux  Ponts.” 
In  the  official  letters  copied  at  the  end  of  the  diary,  the  Baron  de 
Yiomesnil  recognizes  the  title  of  Count.  General  Richard  Butler, 
in  his  diary  published  in  the  Historical  Magazine , Hew  York,  1864, 
vol.  viii.  p.  Ill,  speaks  of  the  younger  brother  as  “Miscount,” 
and  furthermore  states  that  he  was  “ the  brother  to  Count  Ber- 
nard Deux  Ponts,  who  commands  the  elegant  regiment  Deux 
Ponts.”  This  was  a very  natural  mistake  for  one  to  make  who 
was  familiar  only  with  the  English  system  of  rank. 

The  name  appears  to  be  written  indiscriminately  de  Deux-Ponts 
and  des  Deux-Ponts , as  well  as  de  Deuxponts  and  des  Deuxponts. 
In  speaking  of  the  regiment  in  the  translation,  I have  written  it 
Deuxponts,  following  the  manuscript. 

General  Washington,  in  a letter  dated  Hew  AVindsor,  Decem- 
ber 10th,  1780,  (Sparks’s  Washington , vol.  vii.  p.  319,)  speaks  of  the 
satisfaction  he  experienced  in  meeting  some  of  the  French  officers 
and  says  that  he  “ unfortunately  missed  seeing  the  Count  de  Deux- 
ponts, who  had  left  my  quarters  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  be- 

* It  is  a curious  fact  in  bibliography  that  during  the  period  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, it  was  not  uncommon  for  books  published  in  Paris  to  bear  the  imprint  of  Boston 
or  Philadelphia,  even  when  there  was  no  publishing-house  in  those  places,  mentioned 
on  the  title-page.  Generally  such  books  related  to  America,  but  this  was  not  always 
the  case.  These  towns  had  a wide  reputation  in  Europe,  from  their  connection  with 
the  Revolution,  and  it  may  have  been  thought  that  by  doing  this  the  sale  of  the  books 
would  be  helped. 


XU 


INTRODUCTION. 


fore  I arrived  at  them.  I however  flatter  myself  that  I shall  have 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  on  his  return.”  General  Heath,  in  his 
Memoirs , p.  271,  says  that  January  13th,  1781,  “ the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette  and  Count  Deuxponts  visited  West  Point.”  These  allu- 
sions probably  refer  to  the  elder  brother,  of  whom  mention  is 
made  several  times  in  these  pages,  as  we  do  not  learn  from  the 
diary  that  its  writer  was  absent  from  the  French  army  at  this 
time. 

Mr.  Lossing,  in  his  Pictorial  Field  Book , vol.  ii.  p.  515,  speaks  of 
“ Count  William  Deuxponts  as  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
colonels  of  the  French  regiments,  and  gives  a likeness  of  him 
copied  from  a portrait  in  Trumbull’s  picture*  in  the  rotunda  of 
the  Capitol  at  Washington,  representing  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis. 

In  Renwick’s  Life  of  Count  Bumford,  (Sparks’s  American  Biog- 
raph7,  vol.  v.  13.  62,)  an  allusion  is  made  to  “ Prince  Maximilian  of 
Deux-Ponts,  afterwards  King  of  Bavaria,”  as  having  just  returned 
from  America,  where  he  had  served  in  the  army  of  Rochambeau, 
and  had  been  present  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis;  and,  in  a 
note,  it  is  added  that  “ his  portrait  is  to  be  seen  in  Trumbull’s 
Picture  of  the  Capitulation  of  Yorktown,  in  the  Rotunda  of  the 
Capitol.”  Professor  Renwick  confounds  Prince  Maximilian  de 
Deux-Ponts  with  one  of  the  brothers  who  served  in  this  country. 
He  probably  refers  to  the  elder  one  ; and,  if  so,  his  statement  about 
the  portrait  is  at  variance  with  that  of  Mr.  Lossing. 

Colonel  Trumbull,  in  his  Reminiscences,  gives  a record  of  his 
journey  in  1786,  from  Paris  to  the  Rhine.  In  speaking  of  St.  Em- 
bright,  he  says,  on  page  123,  “ In  this  vicinity  is  the  palace  of  the 
Duke  de  Deuxponts,  prince  of  this  country,  and  cousin  of  Maxi- 


* The  portraits  of  the  French  officers  in  this  picture  were  painted  from  life,  in  the 
house  of  Mr.  Jefferson  at  Paris,  in  1787.  Trambull’s  Reminiscences,  p.  408. 


INTRODUCTION. 


xin 


milian  Deuxponts,  colonel  of  the  regiment  royal  Allemand,  one 
of  the  four  superb  infantry  regiments  who  served  in  America, 
under  Count  Rochambeau;  this  residence  appears  to  be  fine  and 
finely  situated.  The  Count  Maximilian  was  made  King  of  Bava- 
ria by  Kapoleon;  . . ” 

This  account  is  partly  correct,  but  the  name  of  the  Colonel,  as 
officially  given,  was  Christian  only;  and  the  assertion  that  the 
Colonel  of  the  regiment  became  King  of  Bavaria  is  of  course  a 
mistake.  It  might  be  supposed  that  Colonel  Trumbull  would  not 
have  fallen  into  the  error,  as  he  must  have  been  personally  ac- 
quainted with  one  of  the  brothers  Deux-Ponts,  if  one  sat  for  the 
portrait  in  the  picture  of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis;  but  the 
final  sentence  must  obviously  have  been  founded  on  an  inference 
from  European  news  which  reached  America  long  after  Colonel 
Trumbull’s  return  home. 

It  is  clear  that  Count  William  distinguished  himself  at  the  siege 
of  Yorktown,  more  eminently  perhaps  than  his  brother,  and  all 
contemporaneous  accounts  speak  in  high  terms  of  his  conduct  at 
the  capture  of  the  redoubts  on  the  night  of  the  14th  of  October. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton,  of  the  British  Legion,  in  his  account 
of  the  siege  (History  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781.  Dublin, 
1787,  p.  386,)  mentions  this  assault,  and  says  that  Count  William 
was  “ amongst  the  foremost  of  the  assailants.”  This,  coming  from 
a British  officer,  would  show  that  his  bravery  was  conspicuous. 
The  assault  was  one  of  the  most  important  events  of  the  siege,  and 
it  would  not  have  been  inappropriate  to  represent,  in  the  histori- 
cal painting  one  who  took  a prominent  part  in  it,  for  which  reason 
I lean  to  Mr.  Lossing’s  statement. 

In  a codicil  to  his  will,  Dr.  Franklin  bequeaths  a crab-tree  walk- 
ing-stick to  General  Washington,  and  says,  “ If  it  were  a sceptre, 
he  has  merited  it  and  would  become  it.  It  was  a present  to  me 
from  that  excellent  woman,  Madame  de  Forbach,  the  Dowager 


XIV 


INTRODUCTION. 


Duchess  of  Deux-Ponts,  connected  with  some  verses  which  should 
go  with  it.”  Life  of  Benjamin  Franklin.  Boston,  1857,  p.  609.  This 
was  the  mother  of  the  diarist,  though  she  was  never  the  Dowager 
Duchess  of  Deux-Ponts. 

The  town  of  Deux-Ponts  (German  Zweibrüolcen)  from  which  the 
family  name  comes,  is  situated  on  the  Erbach,  near  its  confluence 
with  the  Serre,  fifty  miles  west  of  Spires.  Formerly  it  was  the 
capital  of  a duchy  of  the  same  name,  governed  by  its  own  lords, 
and  afterwards  passed  successively  into  the  power  of  Sweden 
and  Bavaria.  The  old  ducal  palace,  formerly  one  of  the  finest 
in  Germany,  was  in  a great  measure  destroyed  by  the  French, 
and  part  of  it  has  been  converted  into  a Roman  Catholic  church. 
The  town  derives  its  name  from  two  bridges  which  here  cross 
the  Erbach.  The  well-known  Bipontine  edition  of  the  classics 
was  published  at  Deux-Ponts. 

The  territory  of  Deux-Ponts  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Counts 
Palatine  of  the  Rhine,  (not  identical  with  the  Electors  Palatine,) 
as  early  as  the  fourteenth  century.  During  the  two  following  cen- 
turies the  Deux-Ponts  line  of  that  family  became  subdivided  into 
five  branches,  and  in  1654,  the  head  of  the  main  branch  was  elect- 
ed King  of  Sweden.  In  the  eighteenth  century,  however,  several 
of  these  lines  became  extinct;  that  of  Deux-Ponts-Birkenfeld 
inherited  from  the  rest,  and,  while  they  still  remained  Counts 
Palatine,  their  chief  was  made  a duke. 

The  father  of  the  diarist  was  Christian,  Count  Palatine  and 
Duke  of  Deux-Ponts-Birkenfeld,  but  he  died  in  1775,  leaving  no 
recognized  children,  and  his  dukedom  passed  to  his  two  nephews 
successively,  Charles  Augustus,  (5. 1746,  d.  1795,)  and  Maximilian, 
(b.  1756,  d.  1825.) 

Maximilian  became  in  1799,  Elector,  and  in  1805,  King  of  Bava- 
ria; and  we  then  find  Duke  William  of  Bavaria,  the  husband  of 
the  king’s  sister,  become  Duke  of  Deux-Ponts,  which  title  now 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


rests  with  his  grandson,  Duke  Maximilian,  the  father  of  the  Em- 
press of  Austria,  and  of  the  Ex-Queen  of  Naples. 

It  was  among  these  persons,  in  the  last  generation,  that  Chris- 
tian and  William  de  Forbach  des  Deux-Ponts  passed  their  early 
and  later  years,  as  relatives  of  inferior  birth,  but  on  terms  of  kind- 
ness, esteem,  and  honor. 

The  accession  of  the  Deux-Ponts  family  to  the  inheritance  of 
Bavaria  was  due  to  a rule  of  succession,  settled  at  Pavia  in  1329, 
between  Louis  the  Bavarian,  Emperor  of  Germany  — ancestor  of 
the  Bavarian  house  which  became  extinct  in  1777 — and  his 
nephews.  Under  this  rule,  Charles  Theodore,  Elector  Palatine, 
took  possession  of  Bavaria  in  1777. 

In  the  following  year  he  made  a convention  with  Austria,  which 
would  have  alienated  Bavaria  again  from  this  house,  he  having 
no  children;  but  Charles  Augustus,  who  had  already  succeeded 
his  uncle  Christian,  as  Duke  of  Deux-Ponts,  made  good,  with  the 
help  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  his  claim  as  heir  presumptive.  He 
died  before  the  elector,  but  his  right  passed  to  his  brother  Maxi- 
milian, who,  as  we  already  know,  became  King  of  Bavaria,  and 
who  was  the  father  of  King  Louis  I.,  of  the  present  Queen  of 
Saxony,  of  the  Dowager  Queens  of  Saxony  and  Prussia,  and  of 
the  Archduchess  Sophia,  mother  of  the  Emperor  of  Austria. 

From  all  the  different  sources  that  I have  quoted,  I gather  the 
following  outlines  of  the  diarist’s  life.  He  was  born  at  Deux- 
Ponts,  June  18th,  1754,  and  entered  his  brother’s  regiment,  in  the 
French  army,  in  1778.  At  this  time  his  father  had  been  dead 
three  years.  Early  in  1780,  he  married  a French  lady  of  high 
birth,  and  came  shortly  afterwards  to  this  country  in  Rochambeau’s 
army;  while  here,  he  wrote  most  of  the  journal  which  is  now  pub- 
lished. At  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  where  he  was  wounded,  he 
distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery,  and  was  mentioned  particu- 
larly in  the  official  report  made  by  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  to  the 


xvi 


INTRODUCTION. 


Count  de  Rochambeau.  For  his  gallantry  on  tills  occasion,  he  was 
made  by  the  King  of  France  a Chevalier  of  the  Military  Order  of 
>St.  Louis. 

Nothing  more  seems  to  be  known  of  him  or  of  his  brother, 
until  the  French  Revolution  obliged  them  to  return  to  Germany, 
when  they  entered  the  service  of  Bavaria. 

The  diarist  held  a post  of  honor  at  the  Court  and  near  the 
person  of  the  king,  which  he  retained  during  his  life,  and  which 
his  son  received  afterwards.  His  brother,  Christian,  was  his 
senior  by  two  years,  and  survived  him  sixteen  years,  though  I do 
not  know  the  exact  date  of  the  death  of  either. 

I offer  no  apology  for  publishing  ajournai,  which  gives  interest- 
ing and  valuable  facts  connected  with  the  American  Revolution. 
Anything  that  throws  light  on  the  events  of  that  period  is  impor- 
tant, and  ought  to  be  preserved.  History  is  made  up  of  the  deeds 
of  individuals,  and  sometimes  the  best  insight  into  the  motives 
and  consequences  of  those  deeds  is  gained  from  the  humblest 
narratives. 

In  conclusion,  I would  return  my  thanks  to  many  friends  for 
services  rendered  in  many  ways.  By  such  help  the  work  of  pre- 
paring the  manuscript  for  the  press  has  been  in  a great  meas- 
ure lessened. 

S.  A.  G. 


Boston,  September  1,  1S68. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMÉRIQUE. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE 


CONTE  G.  DE  DEUX  PONTS 


CAMPAGNE  DE  L’ANNEE  1780 

C’est  au  commencement  de  l’année  1780  que  le  Roy  se 
détermina  a envoyer  des  troupes  au  secours  des  états  unis 
de  l’Amerique  Septentrionale,  on  n’en  déclara  pas  le  dessein, 
on  prit  au  contraire  toutes  les  précautions  imaginables  pour 
cacher  l’objet  auquel  on  destinoit  les  troupes  qui  alloient 
recevoir  l’ordre  de  s’embarquer,  et  les  regiments  de  Neustrie, 
Bourbonnois,  Soisonnois,  Saint  Onge,  Anhalt,  Royal  Deux- 
ponts,  un  bataillon  D’Artilleiie  et  la  legion  de  Lauzun,  des- 
tinés a cette  expedition,  quittèrent  les  cantonnemens  dans 
les  quels  on  les  avoit  placés  après  la  fin  de  l’inutile  campagne 
de  1779;  dans  l’ignorance  la  plus  parfaite  du  pays  dans 
lequel  on  alloit  les  transporter. 

Le  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  possedoit  seul  a cet  egard,  le 
secret  de  l’etat,  c’est  lui  qui  fut  chargé  de  notifier  notre 
arrivée  en  Amérique  et  son  départ  qui  précédoit  le  notre 
ne  put  nous  instruire  et  nous  faire  connaitre  notre  sort  que 
nous  croyons  très  indépendant  du  sien,  parceque  sa  qualité 
de  Major  General  au  service  des  états  unis  rendoit  son 
retour  dans  ces  contrées,  simple  et  même  necessaire. 

A la  fin  du  mois  de  Février,  émanèrent  du  bureau  de  la 
guerre,  les  ordres  de  départ  pour  les  regiments  qui  compo- 


1 


2 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


soient  notre  petite  armée,  et  je  reçus  clans  les  premiers  jours 
cle  Mars,  celui  d’etre  rendu  le  15  du  même  mois  a Lander- 
nau  ou  le  regiment  de  Royal  Deuxponts  hyvernoit  ; il  n’y  a voit 
pas  deux  mois  que  j’etois  marié,  que  j’avois  uni  mon  sort  et 
même  mon  cœur,  a une  femme  que  j’aimois  tendrement. 
J’avouerai  franchement  que  le  premier  sentiment  que  cet 
ordre  me  fit  éprouver,  ne  fut  pas  celui  du  plaisir  et 
je  ne  cacherai  pas  ici,  la  peine,  la  peine  bien  réelle 
que  me  causoit  ma  separation  d’avec  ma  femme  ; le  com- 
bat de  la  tendre  amitié  et  du  devoir  ne  fut  cependant  pas 
long,  le  dernier  l’emporta,  il  n’eprouva  que  la  resistance 
d’un  coeur  sensible  et  il  n’en  éprouva  qu’  asséz  pour  lui  don- 
ner la  gloire  d’une  victoire  toujours  certaine  sur  une  ame 
qui  connoit  les  droits  de  l’honneur  ; ma  resolution  enfin  ne 
pouvoit  etre  douteuse,  mais  ma  presence  n’etant  pas  très 
necessaire  a Landernau  avant  le  mois  D’Avril  fixé  pour 
l’embarquement  des  troupes,  je  demandai  la  permission  de 
n’y  arriver  que  le  31  Mars,  les  difficultés  que  le  Ministre 
opposa  a mes  désirs,  furent  vaincues  par  les  sollicitations 
remplies  d’amitié  et  d’interet  dé  la  Comtesse  de  Linanges 
et  elle  [l’J  obtint  pour  moi;  j’embrassai  ma  pauvre  mere 
le  27,  et  je  quittai  ma  femme  le  28  du  mois  de  Mars; 
les  adieux  trop  tendres  deviennent  dechirans  et  mon 
coeur  l’éprouva  ; je  partis.  Quelques  larmes,  beaucoup 
de  réflexions  sur  ce  que  j’abandonnois,  sur  ce  que  j’allois 
devenu',  et  sur  la  gloire  que  je  pourrois  peut  etre  acquérir, 
occupèrent  le  tems  de  mon  voyage.  J’arrivai  a Landernau 
le  31,  j’y  trouvai  l’ordre  de  nous  embarquer  le  4 D’Avril, 
j’y  appris  la  fâcheuse  nécessité  dans  la  quelle  on  etoit  de 
laisser  les  regiments  de  Ncustrie  et  D’Anhalt  en  France, 
faute  de  moyens  de  les  embarquer,  et  nous  quittâmes  Lan- 
dernau le  4 D’Avril. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


3 


le  regiment  de  Royal  Deuxponts  est  arrivé  le  même  jour 
a Brest  et  s’est  embarqué  a bord  de  L'Eveillé  de  64  canons, 
de  la  Venus  de  la  Comtesse  de  Noailles,  de  la  Loire  et 
de  l'Ecureuil  il  a commencé  l’embarquement  de  touts 
les  z-egiments  destinés  a servir  sous  les  ordres  de  Monsieur 
le  Comte  de  Rocliambeau,  il  a été  suivi  le  lendemain  5 
Avril  par  la  legion  de  Lauzun,  le  6 par  le  regiment  de  Soi- 
sonnois  le  8 par  le  regiment  de  Bourbonnois,  le  10  par  le 
regiment  de  St.  Onge  et  l’artillerie  qui  devoit  terminez 
l’embarquement  des  troupes,  est  entrée  le  11  Avril  dans  ses 
vaisseaux. 

Les  Officiers  Generaux,  [les]  aides  de  camp  &[c]  ont 
tous  été  embarqués  le  14  Avril;  le  15  le  vent  [étant]  asséz 
favorable  engagea  M le  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  commandant 
de  zzotre  escadre,  a ordonner  le  départ  du  convoi  qui  devoit 
précéder  d’un  jour  celui  des  vaisseaux  de  guerre.  Le  con- 
voi appareilla  et  alla  mouiller  dans  la  rade  de  Berthaume  ; 
le  16  au  matin,  le  General  ordonna  a l’escadre  de  desaffour- 
cher,  de  virer  a pic,  et  au  moment  d’appareiller  le  vent 
changea  et  nous  força  de  rester  dans  la  rade  de  Brest,  le 
vent  devint  même  si  violent  que  le  convoi  fut  obligé  de  ren- 
trer le  lendemain  dans  la  rade  de  Brest. 

A compter  du  1 7 Avril  le  vent  fut  constamment  contraire, 
il  nous  força,  a l’inaction  et  ce  n’est  que  le  2 Mai  a cinq 
heures  du  matin  que  nous  avons  pu  mettre  a la  voile.  Notre 
flotte  a cette  epoque  etoit  camposée  du  Duc  de  Bourgogne  de 
80  canons,  du  Neptune  de  74  du  Conquérant  de  74,  de 
L'Eveillé,  du  Jason,  de  la  Provence  et  de  l'ardent  de  64,  des 
fregattes  la  Bellone  l'Amazone  et  la  Surveillante  des  cutters 
la  Guepe,  et  le  Serpent  et  de  trente  six  batimens  de  Trans- 
port, le  tout  formant  quarante  huit  voiles. 

le  5 Mai  a deux  heures  après  midi,  la  frégatte  la  Bellone 


4 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


quitta  l’escadre,  pour  retourner  en  France,  notre  route  jus- 
ques  la,  a été  fort  lente  et  entièrement  dépourvue  d’evene- 
mens,  et  nous  nous  n’avions  depuis  trois  jours  et  demi  que 
nous  naviguions,  parcouru  que  50  lieues;  Au  moment  du 
départ  de  la  fregatte  la  Bellone,  le  vaisseau  commandant  a 
fait  le  signal  de  regler  l’eau,  ce  signal  nous  fait  présumer 
une  traversée  longue,  et  augmente  encore  l’incertitude  de 
nos  conjectures  sur  le  lieu  de  notre  destination;  je  crois 
cependant  que  l’intention  de  Monsieur  de  Ternay  en  faisant 
ce  signal,  a été  de  persuader  la  Bellone  de  la  longueur  de 
notre  route,  pour  que  son  rapport  trompe  de  plus  en  plus  la 
curiosité  des  politiques. 

Le  9 Mai  a cinq  heures  du  matin,  nous  avons  vu  et 
reconnu  le  Cap  Ortegal,  situé  dans  la  province  de  Galice, 
nous  avons  été  a vue  de  terre  jusqu’  a neuf  heures  du  matin. 
Le  Ciel  s’embruma  tout  a coup  et  le  vent  s’éleva  avec  tant 
de  violence  et  de  promptitude,  que  nous  avons  été  obligés 
de  mettre  a la  cape  avec  la  plus  grande  precipitation,  La 
Provence  a eue  son  petit  mat  de  hune  et  son  grand  mat  du 
Perroquet  brisé  [s]  par  le  vent,  plusieurs  autres  vaisseaux 
ont  souffert,  entre  autres,  le  Neptune,  dont  le  Mat  du  Perro- 
quet de  fougue  a été  cassé  ; la  Provence  a fait  peu  de  moments 
après  son  accident,  le  signal  que  son  avarie*  ne  pouvoit  pas 
se  reparer  a la  mer  ; le  vent  a continué  pendant  toute  la 
journée  avec  la  môme  impétuosité. 

Le  10.  la  violence  du  vent  s’est  soutenue  jusqu’à  cinq 
heures  du  soir,  un  vent  frais  de  Nord  Ouest  nous  a permis  a 
cette  heure  la,  de  quitter  la  cape  et  de  remettre  a la  voile. 

Du  10  au  15  Mai,  le  vent  nous  a continuellement  été  con- 


* cette  même  avarie  fut  reparée  quatre  jours  après  eu  deux  heures 
de  tems. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


5 


traire  et  lions  avons  employé  tout  ce  tems  la,  a courir  des 
bords,  trop  heureux  de  pouvoir  nous  maintenir  dans  notre 
position  et  de  ne  pas  perdre  du  chemin  que  nous  avons  déjà 
tait. 

Le  15  au  matin,  le  vent  nous  est  devenu  entièrement  favor- 
able et  nous  a permis  ce  même  jour  de  doubler  le  cap  Finis- 
terre.  Le  Cutter  le  Serpent  a été  renvoyé  en  Europe  pour 
y porter  la  nouvelle  de  notre  décapement.  Le  Yent  de 
Nord  Est  s’est  soutenu  avec  constance,  et  le  21  nous  avons 
doublé  l’Isle  de  Madere,  la  laissant  a peu  prés  a 50  lieues 
a l’est. 

Du  21  Mai  au  trois  de  Juin  le  tems  a été  constamment 
beau  et  le  vent  favorable,  mais  la  plupart  du  tems  trop  foible 
pour  faire  une  route  considerable  ; les  airs  de  vent  auxquels 
on  a governé  pend4  tout  ce  tems  la,  n’ont  pu  nous  eclairer 
sur  notre  destination,  ils  nous  dirigeoient  egalement  vers 
l’amerique  Septentrionale  et  vers  les  Antilles,  le  3,  l’es- 
cadre étant  en  panne  et  la  mer  belle,  Le  Cte  de  Damas, 
mon  frere  et  moi,  avons  été  a bord  du  Duc  de  Bourgogne, 
faire  une  visite  a Mr  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  qui  nous 
a annoncé  que  nous  faisions  route  pour  l’amerique  Septentri- 
onale. 

Le  8 de  Juin,  Mr  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau,  nous  a fait 
parvenir  dans  nos  vaisseaux  respectifs,  nos  instructions  de 
debarquement,  la  forme  de  notre  service  et  l’ordre  des  rangs 
a observer  vis  a vis  des  troupes  des  états  unis  de  l’amerique. 

le  11  de  Juin,  les  fregattes  la  Surveillante  et  l’Amazone 
ont  pris  après  huit  heures  de  chasse,  une  caiche  angloise 
•venant  de  Hallifax. 

le  18  de  Juin  nous  avons  doublé  la  Bermude,  Nord  et  Sud, 
la  laissant  a peu  prés  soixante  lieues  Nord  ; les  fregattes  la 
Surveillante  et  l’Amazone  ont  pris  le  même  jour  un  brique 


6 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


anglois,  moutant  douze  canons  qui  venoit  du  siege  de  Charles 
Town,  que  les  Anglois  ont  pris  sur  les  états  unis  de  l’ Amé- 
rique, le  8 de  Mai  après  un  siege  de  six  semaines,  ce  bati- 
ment nous  en  a appris  la  nouvelle  certaine,  il  avoit  a son 
bord  cinq  officiers  du  46ieme  regiment  qui  venoient  de 
Charles  Town  et  alloient  a la  Barbade.  Il  a pris  notre 
escadre  pour  une  escadre  Angloise  que  l’on  attend  a la 
Nouvelle  Angleterre  et  il  ne  s’est  douté  de  son  erreur  qu’au 
moment  ou  les  pavillons  François,  l’ont  forcé  d’amener  le 
sien. 

le  20  de  Juin,  on  signala  dans  un  très  grand  eloignement 
six  voiles  au  vent  a nous,  il  etoit  alors  a peu  prés  midi  et 
demi.  Les  Vaisseaux,  le  Neptune  et  l’Eveillé,  reçurent^ 
aussitôt  l’ordre  signalé  de  chasser  en  tenant  le  vent,  et 
l’ordre  verbal*  de  faire  peu  de  voiles,*  nous  arborâmes 
aussitôt  pavillon  Anglois,  nous  nous  mimes  en  chasse,  une 
demie  heure  après  nous  vimes  que  les  batimens  chassoient  sur 
nous,  et  nous  jugeâmes  facilement  que  c’etoient  des  batimens 
de  guerre  ; la  distance  qui  nous  separoit  etoit  trop  conside- 
rable pour  pouvoir  connaître  leur  force,  mais  nous  jugeâmes 
de  leur  nation,  par  la  securité  avec  la  quelle  ils  venoient  au 
devant  du  pavillon  Anglois.  Ils  chassoient  tous,  mais  sans 
ordre,  laissant  entre  eux  des  distances  considerables,  et 
nous  vimes  dés  lors,  un  de  ces  vaisseaux  se  séparer  des 
autres  et  porter  sur  notre  convoi  qui  continuoit  sa  route 
avec  nos  cinq  autres  vaisseaux,  que  etoient  par  consequent 


* Nous  passions  a poupe  du  General,  l’orsqu’  on  nous  cria  cet  ordre 
verbal  par  un  porte  voix,  notre  Capitaine,  répondit  deux  fois  qu’  il 
n’entendoit  pas,  parcequ’  il  vouloit  que  cet  ordre  fut  signalé  ; a la 
troisième  repetition,  l’Eveillé  se  trouvoit  si  prés  du  Duc  de  Bourgogne 
que  Mr  de  Tilli  ne  pouvoit  plus  faire  la  sourde  oreille,  et  il  fut  obligé 
d’obeir  sans  signal. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


7 


sous  le  vent  a nous.  A trois  heures,  l’Officier  de  quart  vint 
nous  avertir  que  les  voiles  que  nous  chassions,  etoient  cinq 
vaisseaux  de  ligne  et  une  fregatte  le  Neptune  que  etoit  un  peu 
de  l’avant,  en  fit  le  signal  a notre  escadre  et  notre  vaisseau  le 
répéta.  Nous  étions  a table,  cette  nouvelle  nous  fit  quitter 
notre  diner  pour  laisser  faire  le  branlebas,  et  pour  nous 
preparer  au  combat  ; une  demie  heure  après,  nos  deux  vais- 
seaux se  trouvèrent  a la  grande  portée  du  canon,  d’un  vais- 
seau de  74  canons  et  de  la  fregatte  ennemie,  qui  devançoient 
d’une  demie  lieue  a peu  prés  la  reste  de  leur  escadre.  La 
fregatte  hissa  un  pavillon  espagnol  qui  devoit  servir  de  signal 
de  reconnoissance,  et  au  quel  nous  n’avions  pas  de  ré- 
ponse a faire  ; le  vaisseau  et  la  fregatte  jugèrent  notre  silence, 
mirent  en  panne,  et  nous,  nous*  virâmes  de  bord,  pour  rejoin- 
dre notre  escadre  qui  sur  le  signal  du  Neptune,  s’etoit 
séparée  du  convoi,  et  venoit  vent  devant  et  toutes  voiles 
dehors,  a notre  appui.  A cinq  heures  du  soir,  nos  sept  vais- 
seaux se  trouvèrent  en  ligne  de  bataille,  les  anglois  avoient 
formé  la  leur,  a l’exception  du  vaisseau  qui  s’etoit  détaché  de 
son  escadre,  qui  avoit  vivement  chassé  notre  convoi,  et  etoit 
consequemment  tombé,  sous  le  vent,  non  seulement  de  son 
escadre,  mais  de  la  notre,  de  maniéré  a etre  certaine  de  le 
couper,  si  Mr  de  Tcrnay  avoit  voulu  profitter  de  notre  avan- 
tageuse position.  L’Escadre  Françoise  dont  le  Neptune  avoit 
la  tête,  le  chassa,  mais  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay  faisoit  a tous 


* Nous  virâmes  de  bord,  sans  que  le  Duc  de  Bourgogne  nous  en  ait 
fait  le  signal,  je  ne  concevrai  ni  n’approuverai  jamais  cette  Manoeuvre 
de  Mr  Destouches,  si  nous  avions  engagé  le  vaisseau  de  74  canons  qui 
se  trouvoit  a notre  portée  ; nous  aurions  a la  vérité  eu  a combattre 
avec  nos  deux  vaisseaux  quatre  vaisseaux  ennemis  ; mais  une  demie 
heure  après  ces  quatre  vaisseaux  Anglois  eussent  été  foundroyés  par 
sept  vaisseaux  François. 


8 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D ’AMERIQUE. 


moments  le  signal  aux  vaisseaux  de  tête  de  diminuer  de 
voiles,  et  donna  le  tems  au  vaisseau  ennemi  de  serrer  le  vent 
et  de  s’y  clever*  L’Escadre  Angloise  avoit  le  vent  sur  la 
notre  et  couroit  sur  la  même  paralelle,  a cinq  heures  et 
demi[e]  nous  arborâmes  pavillon  Francois,  les  ennemis  his- 
sèrent aussitôt  celui  de  leur  nation,  et  a six  heures  moins  un 
quart,  notre  vaisseau  commandant,  fit  le  signal  au  vaisseau 
de  tête  de  commencer  le  combat.  Au  même  instant,  le 
vaisseau  Anglois  séparé,  se  trouvant  asséz  elevé  au  vent,  vira 
de  bord  vent  devant,  passa  en  revue  devant  toute  l’escadre 
Françoise,  reçut  toutes  nos  bordées,  répondit  a toutes  celles 
que  nous  lui  envoyons  et  regagna  par  cette  manoeuvre 
hardie  et  habile  la  queue  de  sa  ligne.  Le  combat  s’enga- 
gea et  fut  pendant  vingt  minutes  vif  et  suivi.  Le  Cheva- 
lier de  Ternay  pour  se  rapprocher  de  l’ennemi  fit  le  signal  a 
notre  escadre  de  virer  vent  arriéré  par  la  contremarche,  la 
cannonade  recommença  une  grand  distance  ; les  Anglois 
tinrent  le  vent,  s’éloignèrent  peu  a peu  de  nous,  et  la  nuit 
tomba  un  quart  d’heure  après  la  fin  de  notre  combat. 
L’Escadre  Angloise  etoit  composée  de  deux  vaisseaux  de  74 
canons,,  deux  de  64  et  un  de  50,  la  fregatte  Angloise  pouvoit 
etre  de  32  canons.  Tout  notre  convoi  resta  rassemblé  a une 
demie  lieu[e]  sous  le  vent  a nous  et  etoit  guardé  par  les 
fregattes  l’Amazone  et  la  Surveillante.  Notre  Combat  a duré 
en  tout,  à compter  du  premier  coup  de  canon  jusqu’au  dernier, 
a peu  prés  cinq  quarts  d’heure.  Nous  avons  allumé  nos  feux 
et  les  avons  conservé  pendant  toute  la  nuit;  les  Anglois 


* La  Mémoire  cle  Mr  de  Ternay  ne  sera  jamais  a l’abri  du  reproche 
que  mérité  sa  conduite  dans  cette  circonstance,  qui  auroit  due  le 
couvrir  de  gloire.  S’il  avoit  l’crrdre  de  ne  pas  combattre,  il  ne  devoit 
pas  commencer  le  combat,  s’il  en  avoit  la  liberté,  il  devoit  tirer  parti 
de  ses  avantages  et  cela  n’etoit  pas  difficile. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


9 


n’avoient  pas  les  leurs,  si  c’est  une  preuve  de  notre  victoire, 
il  faut  avouer  qu’elle  est  bien  foible. 

Le  21.  La  Surveillante  a pris  un  gros  bateau  anglois 
chargé  de  bois,  venant  de  Savannah,  il  a assuré  que  le  8 de  ' 
ce  mois  il  avoit  encore  vu  l’Amiral  Arbuthnot  devant  Charles 
Town,  mais  n’ayant  avec  lui  que  des  fregattes  (parceque  les 
vaisseaux  de  ligne  ne  peuvent  pas  passer  la  barre  de  Charles 
Town)  cela  nous  fait  croire  a tous  que  l’escadre  que  nous 
avons  combattu[e]  hier,  est  celle  D’Arbuthnot  venant  de 
Hallifax  et  allant  rejoindre  son  General.  Nous  sommes 
d’autant  plus  fondés  a croire  que  l’escadre  ennemie  etoit 
commandée  par  un  simple  Capitaine  de  vaisseau,  que  nous 
n’avons  point  remarqué  de  pavillon  de  distinction  a aucun 
de  leurs  vaisseaux.*  Nous  jugeons  que  ces  cinq  vaisseaux 
etoient  le  Robuste  et  le  Russel  de  74  canons,  l’Europa  et 
le  Raisonnable  de  64,  et  le  Renown  de  50. 

Du  2 1 Juin  au  4 Juillet  notre  route  a souvent  été  contra- 
riée par  des  calmes  ou  des  vents  contraires,  il  y a eu  de  l’er- 
reur dans  l’estimation  de  la  longitude,  a bord  de  tous  nos 
vaisseaux,  tous  les  points  etoient  de  l’avant  des  navires,  ce 
qui  nous  a fait  souvent  sonder  sans  trouver  fonds. 

le  4 Juillet  a dix  heures  et  demie  du  matin,  on  signala 
une  voile,  que  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay  fit  aussitôt  chasser  par 
les  fregattes  l’Amazone  et  la  Surveillante  ; le  Duc*  de  Bour- 
gogne, fit  le  signal  qu’il  rendoit  sa  manoeuvre  indépendante 
et  appuya  lui  même  la  chasse  des  deux  fregattes.  Le  bati- 


*Nous  avons  appris  trois  mois  après  que  cette  escadre  étoit  com- 
mandée par  le  Capitaine  Cornwallis,  venant  de  la  Jamaïque  dont  il 
avoit  debouqué  un  convoi,  qu’  elle  y retournoit,  et  que  les  cinq 
vaisseaux  qui  la  composoient,  sont  Z[e]  Hector  et  le  Sultan  de  74 
canons,  le  Lion  et  le  Bubis  de  64,  le  Bristol  de  30  et  la  fregatte  le 
Niger  de  32  canons. 

2 


10 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


ment  chassé  etoit  un  gros  bateau  armé,  fort  bon  marcheur  ; 
il  n’amena  pavillon  qu’aprés  plusieurs  coups  de  canons  a 
boulets  tirés  sur  lui  ; il  fut  cependant  pris  et  amariné  a deux 
heures,  et  nous  jugeâmes,  nous  sachant  prés  de  la  côte 
D ’Amérique,  que  ce  navire  etoit  une  mouche  Angloise  desti- 
née a nous  observer;  a deux  heures  et  demie,  l’Amazone 
signala  qu’  elle  avoit  trouvé  fonds  a soixante  brasses,  une 
heure  après,  le  Conquérant  signala  fonds  a quinze  brasses 
et  a quatre  heures  l’Eveillé  le  trouva  a treize  brasses,  il  n’y 
avoit  plus  a douter  de  notre  proximité  de  la  terre,  et  le 
bateau  pris  affirma  que  nous  n’etions  qu’a  dix  lieues  a l’Est 
du  cap  Henri  un  des  caps  de  la  Baye  de  Chesapeack; 
l’Escadre  mit  en  panne  et  le  signal  de  faire  servir,  fut  suivi 
immédiatement  par  celui  de  nous  preparer  a mouiller,  a 
six  heures  et  un  quart,  ordre  de  mouiller,  qui  fut  révoque  le 
moment  d’après,  a six  heures  et  demi[e]  la  Surveillante  sig- 
nala deux  voiles  ; le  General  fit  aussitôt  le  signal  du  branle 
bas  general,  nous  fumes  un  peu  étonnés  de  la  promptitude 
de  cet  ordre  mais  l’instant  d’après,  le  Duc  de  Burgogne  sig- 
nala neuf  voiles,  et  un  autre  vaisseau  [en  signala]  onze, 
cela  nous  parut  un  peu  plus  serieux  nous  commençâmes  mes 
compagnons  de  voyage  et  moi  a calculer  les  probabilités  ; 
nous  nous  rappellames  que  l’Amiral  Graves  avec  une  forte 
escadre  avoit  du  appareiller  des  ports  D’Angleterre  en 
même  tems  que  nous,  ou  nous  suivre  de  prés,  que  cette  esca- 
dre sans  convoi,  marchant  mieux  que  nous,  devoit  etre 
arrivée  a sa  destination,  qu’elle  pouvoit  etre  jointe  a Arbuth- 
not  et  que  ces  deux  escadres  reunies  croisoient  vraisembla- 
blement en  attendant  notre  arrivée,  le  petit  batiment  pris, 
ne  nous  parut  plus  alors  qu’un  espion,  dout  Mr  de  Ternay 
moyennant  cinquante  toises  ou  cinquante  coups  de  bâton 
avoit  tiré  la  vérité  du  Capitaine,  et  le  signal  de  virer  vent 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


11 


devant  toutes  voiles  dehors,  l’avertissement  que  le  General 
alloit  indiquer  des  fausses  routes  pour  la  nuit,*  cinq  fausses 
routes  qui  parurent  le  moment  d’après  et  par  un  de  nos 
batimens  légers,  envoyé  pour  reconnaître  ; nous  persuad- 
èrent a tous,  que  les  batimens  apperçus  etoient  Arbutlinot  et 
Graves  très  supérieurs  et  très  a craindre.  Le  soleil  baissoit 
je  ne  vis  que  cinq  des  voiles  signalées,  la  nuit  se  ferma  nous 
commençâmes  a dix  heures  nos  fausses  routes  qui  furent 
très  bien  exécutées,  a minuit  et  demi  cinq  coups  de  canon, 
firent  passer  cinq  boulets  entre  les  mats  du  Duc  de  Bour- 
gogne, ils  nous  tirent  croire  que  l’ennemi  nous  avoit  joint, 
que  nous  ne  lui  échapperions  pas  le  lendemain  matin,  et 
nous  passâmes  notre  nuit  dans  les  préparatifs  et  l’attente 
d’un  combat,  dont  l’issue  ne  nous  paroissoit  pas  [de]  couleur 
de  rose,  je  pris  cependant  le  parti  de  me  coucher,  il  est  plus 
sage  de  dormir  que  de  réver  a un  combat  naval  ou  il  n’y 
avoit  rien  a gagner;  je  me  reveillai  a trois  heures  et  demi[e] 
mon  premier  soin  fut  de  demander  si  nous  avions  l’ennemi 
sur  le  bras,  on  me  répondit  qu’on  ne  voyoit  que  deux  bati- 
mens etrangers,  je  regardai  et  je  vis  deux  fregattes  ennemies 


* Touts  ces  signaux  etoient  bien  plutôt  une  fuite  honteuse  qu’une 
manoeuvre  prudente,  jamais  on  ne  pouvoit  en  mer,  mieux  peindre  la 
peur,  et  j’ai  vu  avec  douleur  ce  triste  coup  de  pinceau  de  Monsieur  de 
Ternay  ; il  n’a  même  pas  eu  asséz  de  presence  d’esprit  pour  envoyer  a 
la  reconnoissance  des  batimens  signalés,  la  Surveillante  et  l’Eveillé 
marchent  cependant  asséz  supérieurement  pour  avoir  pu  remplir  cet 
objet,  sans  craindre  de  les  compromettre,  on  auroit  vu,  on  lui  auroit 
rendu  compte,  et  notre  Amiral  eut  appris  qu’il  etoit  le  maitre  de 
s’emparer  de  deux  vaisseaux  de  44  canons,  quatre  fregattes  et  un 
convoi  qui  composoient  ces  voiles  apperçues  et  qui  lui  ont  donné  tant 
de  craintes,  ce  n’est  que  quatre  mois  après,  que  nous  l’avons  sue,  il 
eut  été  heureux  de  ne  pas  manquer  une  pareille  occasion,  mais,  quand 
on  a peur,  on  n’y  voit  pas  si  bien. 


12 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


au  milieu  de  notre  convoi,  qui  mettoient  toutes  voiles  dehors 
pour  s’éloigner;  taut  mieux  pensois-je  en  moi  mène.  Nos 
fregattes,  et  les  vaisseaux  qui  se  trouvoient  a portée  de  Mr 
de  Ternay,  lui  demandoient  avec  instance,  la  permission  de 
chasser,  mais  il  n’osa  pas  l’accordèr  avant  que  le  soleil  eut 
asséz  éclairé  l’horizon  pour  etre  sur  qu’il  n’y  avoit  pas  de 
forces  supérieures  a craindre,  a cinq  heures  du  matin  il  en 
fut  convaincu,  il  fit  signal  a nos  fregattes  de  chasser  les  fre- 
gattes ennemies,  et  appuya  lui  même  la  chasse  qui  dura  jus- 
qu’à une  heure  après  midi,  sans  avoir  pu  joindre  les  fregattes 
ennemies  dont  la  marche  etoit  supérieure,  et  qui  pour  échap- 
per plus  sûrement,  avoient  fait  le  sacrifice  de  quelques  uns 
de  leurs  canons,  qu’elles  avoient  jetés  a la  mer.  L’Escadre 
et  le  convoi  ayant  continué  leur  route  au  même  air  de  vent 
que  les  batimens  chasseurs,  nous  fuines  tous  rejoints  a trois 
heures,  nous  mimes  en  panne  ; le  General  ordonna  a tous  les 
vaisseaux  et  fregattes  d’envoyer  a l’ordre,  et  déclara  qu’  il 
conduisoit  l’escadre  a Boston  ou  a Rhode  Island.  L’enseigne 
du  vaisseau  envoyé  a l’ordre  raconta  a son  retour,  a tout  le 
monde,  sous  le  secret,  que  le  General  avoit  vu  la  veille  onze 
voiles,  et  que  d’après  les  informations  prises,  il  etoit  certain 
qu’elles  formoient  une  escadre  Angloise  composée  de  sept 
vaisseaux  de  ligne,  le  London  de  98  canons  et  six  vaisseaux 
de  74  canons. 

Le  grand  nombre  de  nos  malades  et  la  fatigue  que  nous 
éprouvons  de  27  jours  passés  dans  la  rade  de  Brest  et  de 
soixante  six  jours  en  mer,  nous  font  desirer  d’eviter  la  ren- 
contre des  forces  dont  nous  sommes  menacés  ; les  ennemis, 
partis  en,  même  tems  que  nous,  peuvent  etre  déjà  rafraîchis 
et  reposés  de  leur  traversée  qui  debarasée  d’un  convoi  doit 
avoir  été  bien  plus  courte  que  la  notre. 

Dans  la  nuit  du  cinq  au  six  Juillet  nous  avons  perdu  le 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


13 


batiment  pris  le  quatre  de  ce  mois,  son  mat  de  beaupré  cassé, 
l’a  fait  rester  en  arriéré  et  sa  conservation  n’etoit  pas  asséz 
importante  pour  retarder  la  marche  de  l'escadre  et  du 
convoi. 

Le  sept  de  Juillet,  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay  a fait  venir  a 
son  bord  tous  les  capitaines  des  vaisseaux  et  [des]  fregattes 
de  l’escadre  et  a déclaré  après  un  court  conseil  de  guerre 
tenu  avec  eux,  qu’il  nous  conduisoit  a Rhode  Island  ; On  a 
réfuté  la  nouvelle  dite  le  cinq  sur  la  force  de  l’escadre 
angloise,  qu’on  cro[yo]it  avoir  apperçu[e]  le  4 au  soir; 
[’approuve  fort  cette  refutation  que  je  crois  destinées  a 
encourager  nos  equipages,  mais  je  n’en  suis  pas  moins  per- 
suadé que  la  premiere  nouvelle  est-  vraie,  et  nous  nous  atten- 
dons tous  a combattre  avant  notre  arrivée  a terre. 

Du  sept  au  neuf  Juillet  le  tems  a été  très  brumeux,  l’on 
a cependant  a force  de  soins  et  de  signaux  conservé  l’escadre 
et  le  convoi,  a l’exception  de  la  gabarre  l’isle  de  France  qui 
s’est  écartés  et  nous  manque  dans  ce  moment  ci.  Le  9 a 
six  heures  du  matin,  on  a trouvé  fonds  a quarante  brasses  ; 
l’incertitude  de  notre  eloignement  de  la  terre  et  l’impossibi- 
lité de  la  voir,  engagèrent  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay  a faire 
mouiller  la  flotte  a midi,  a deux  heures  le  tems  s’est  éclairci 
et  a trois  heures  nous  avons  appareillé  ; très  peu  de  tems 
après  on  a signalé  terre,  mais  on  ne  put  la  reconnaître, 
nous  nous  en  sommes  approchés  jusqu’à  sept  heures  du  soir  ; 
nous  vimes  a cette  heure  la,  arriver  une  chaloupe  américaine 
que  le  General  fit  venir  a son  bord,  et  nous  apprîmes  que 
la  terre  decouverte  etoitd’isle  de  Nomann  une  des  isles  des 
bancs  de  Nantuket;  nous  mouillâmes  a 9 heures  du  soir  et 
recommençâmes  notre  route  le  dix  a quatre  heures  du  matin. 

le  dix  au  soir  nous  découvrîmes  encore  la  terre  et  nous 
eûmes  la  certitude  que  c’etoit  la  terre  de  Rhode  Island  ; 


14 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


nous  passâmes  la  nuit  a l’ancre,  le  1 1 a la  pointe  du  jour 
nous  appareillâmes,  la  brume  etoit  fort  épaisse,  nous  couri- 
ons vers  la  terre,  et  nous  allions  nous  perdre  sans  quelques 
coups  de  canons  de  signaux  que  le  navire  l’Ecureuil  tira 
pour  nous  avertir  du  danger,  la  brume  s’éclaircit,  nous  étions 
contre  la  pointe  Judith,  nous  fumes  pris  par  un  calme  plat 
et  forcés  de  mouiller;  le  General  nous  envoya  un  pilote 
Américain;  (le  Colonel  Elliot)  nous  remimes  a la  voile  dans 
l’aprés  midi  et  nous  sommes  entrés  le  onze  Juillet  au  soir 
dans  la  Rade  de  Newport. 

Monsieur  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  a été  débarqué  le 
même  jour  et  s’est  occupé  de  l’emplacement  de  notre  camp 
et  de  touts  les  details  relatifs  a sa  petite  armée  qui  ne  lui 
ont  permis  de  faire  commencer  le  debarquement  des  troupes, 
que  le  13  de  Juillet,  Les  grenadiers  et  chasseurs  qu’on  a 
mis  les  premiers  a terre,  ont  dés  le  même  soir  été  occuper  le 
camp  qui  nous  est  destiné,  ils  ont  été  suivis  le  14  et  le  15 
par  les  troupes  bien  portantes  et  le  16,  le  17  le  18  et  le  19 
ont  été  donnés  au  debarquement  des  malades  ; les  uns  ont  été 
transportés  aux  hôpitaux  préparés  a Newport,  et  les  autrés, 
a un  hôpital  établi  a Papisquasch  a donze  milles  de  Newport. 

Le  Camp  occupé  par  l’armée  Françoise  a sa  droite  appu- 
yée prés  de  Newport,  un  peu  en  avant  de  la  ville,  la  gauche 
touche  a la  mer,  la  legion  de  Lauzun  est  campée  en  avant  de 
l’armée,  dans  une  presque  isle  appellée  le  Nek. 

Nous  sommes  enfin  arrivés  au  terme  de  notre  navigation, 
et  de  la  fatigue  et  de  l’ennui  qui  en  sont  inseparables,  le 
moment  ou  l’on  revoit  la  terre  après  en  avoir  été  séparé 
pend1  soixante  et  onze  jours,  est  doux,  on  ne  connoit  jamais 
mieux  le  prix  du  bonheur  qu’aprés  l’avoir  acheté  par  des 
privations  et  des  peines  ; mais  nous  avons  trop  a nous  occu- 
per du  spectacle  de  l’humanité  souffrante,  pour  jouir;  le 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


15 


scorbut  a fait  des  ravages  affreux  parmi  nos  troupes,  nous 
avons  perdu  du  monde  pendant  la  traversée,  et  la  grande 
quantité  de  nos  malades,  le  triste  état  auquel  plusieurs  sont 
réduits,  nous  font  craindre  d’en  perdre  encore  beaucoup. 

Nous  n’avons  pas  éprouvé  a notre  debarquement  l’accueil 
auquel  nous  nous  attendions  et  auquel  nous  devions  nous 
attendre,  le  froid  et  la  reserve  me  semblent  jusqu’à  present 
etre  le  caractère  distinctif  de  la  nation  américaine,  elle 
paroit  peu  portée  a l’enthousiasme  que  l’on  suppose  a un 
peuple  qui  combat  pour  sa  liberté  et  peu  propre  a l’inspirer, 
mais  ces  considerations  ne  changeront  rien  a ma  resolution, 
et  m’occupent  bien  moins  que  mes  reflexions  sur  notre  posi- 
tion militaire  et  politique  ; nous  sommes  bien  peu  nombreux 
et  je  prévois  avec  peine  que  nous  ne  pourrons  pas  etre  cette 
campagne  ci,  d’une  grande  influence,  si  notre  seconde  divi- 
sion n’arrive  pas  bientôt  et  ne  nous  met  pas  en  état  de  faire 
naitre  quelques  evenemens. 

le  21  Juillet  au  matin,  un  brique  destiné  a porter  en  France 
la  nouvelle  de  notre  arrivée  dans  l’ Amérique  Septentrionale, 
est  sorti  du  port  de  Rhode  Island,  sous  l’escorte  des  fregattes, 
la  Surveillante,  l’Amazone  et  l’Hermione  qui  doivent  le  con- 
voyer jusqu’à  une  certaine  distance  ; La  vue  de  plusieurs 
voiles  a fait  rentrer  cette  flotille  ; les  voiles  découvertes  se 
sont  approchées  et  a six  heures  du  soir,  nous  en  avons  comptés 
de  la  côte,  vingt  ; dont  au  moins  neuf  vaisseaux  a deux  bat- 
teries. Leur  silence  a touts  les  signaux  faits  de  la  côte,  n’a 
plus  laissé  douter  qu’ils  etoient  Anglois.  L’incertitude  de 
leurs  desseins  et  la  crainte  qu’ils  n’ayent  celui  de  forcer  la 
passé  de  Rhode  Island,  a fait  embosser  nos  sept  vaisseaux 
de  ligne  et  Monsieur  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  a dés  le 
même  soir,  fait  elever  des  batteries  sur  la  passe  du  coté  de 


16 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


Rhode  Island,*  tandis  que  la  marine  en  a elevé  du  coté  de 
Conanicut.  Mr  de  La  Valette  Lieutenant  Colonel  du  regi- 
ment de  Saint  Onge  a été  détaché  a Conanicut  avec  cent 
cinquante  hommes,  et  Mr  le  Cte  de  Custine  et  moi  en  second 
avons  été  détaché  avec  les  bataillons  de  grenadiers  et  chas- 
seurs de  nos  deux  brigades  et  nous  avons  pris  notre  position 
au  bord  de  la  mer,  pour  prévenir  de  l’un  et  de  l’autre  coté 
toute  tentation  de  descente.  L’Amiral  Arbuthnot  a conti- 
nuellement reste  en  vue  de  la  côte,  jusqu’au  26  de  Juillet;  la 
nuit  il  mouillolt  a la  pointe  de  Judith,  et  passoit  le  jour  sous 
voiles,  croisant,  tantôt  a une  lieue,  d’autres  fois  a trois  ou 
quatre  lieues  de  la  côte,  le  26  au  soir  le  General  nous  a 
ordonné  de  rentrer  au  camp  de  l’armée,  et  la  legion  de 
Lauzun  est  venue  prendre  notre  position.  Mr  le  Cte  de 
Rochambeau  ayant  reçu  avis  le  24  que  le  Gal  Clinton  faisoit 
embarquer  dix  mille  hommes  pour  venir  nous  attaquer  et 
qu’il  alloit  etre  prêt  a appareiller,  a détaché  le  second 
bataillon  du  regiment  de  Soisonnois  commandé  par  le 
Vicomte  de  Noailles  et  l’a  porté  sur  Conanicut  ou  il  a été 
renforcé  de  milices  Américaines  ; mais  la  difficulté  de  garder 
L’Isle  de  Conanicut  qui  est  abordable  de  touts  les  cotés,  a 
engagé  Mr  de  Rochambeau  a l’abandonner  aux  enterprises 
de  l’ennemi,  et  il  a fait  rentrer  le  27  de  Juillet,  le  Bataillon 
détaché. 


* Les  batteries  elevées  du  coté  de  Rhodisland,  n’etoient  que  de 
pieces  de  douze,  notre  gros  canon  et  nos  mortiers  n’avoient  point 
encore  été  débarqués,  et  l’on  peut  aisément  juger  que  ces  batteries 
n’eussent  pas  été  d’un  grand  effet  contre  des  vaisseaux  de  ligne,  a cette 
epoque  la  moitié  de  notre  armée  etoit  malade  il  n’y  avoit  aucun  point 
de  debarquement  reconnu  et  aucune  marche  ouverte.  Notre  position 
n’eut  point  été  aisée  si  nous  avions  eu  affaire  a un  ennemi  hardi  et 
habile. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


17 


Les  avis  donnés  de  l’intention  du  General  Clinton  de  nous 
attaquer,  ont  été  confirmés  par  ceux  que  le  General  Wash- 
ington a fait  parvenir  a Mr  de  Rochambeau,  que  a en  conse- 
quence convoqué  les  milices  de  l’etat  de  Rhode  Island  a 
fait  reparer  toutes  les  redoutes  construites  par  les  Anglois 
(l’orsqu’ils  etoient  les  maitres  de  notre  Isle)  il  en  a augmenté 
la  defense,  en  ajoutant  de  nouveaux  ouvrages  a ceux  qui 
etoient  déjà  construits,  et  a fait  ouvrir  des  marches  sur  tous 
les  points  possibles  de  debarquement. 

Le  12  D’Aoust  nous  avons  appris  que  des  mouvemens  que 
le  Gal  Washington  a fait  pour  s’approcher  de  New  York,  ont 
fait  renoncer  Clinton  a ses  projets  sur  nous.  Le  Gal  Wash- 
ington s’est  porté  a Pompton  a seize  milles  de  Staten  Island. 
Le  Gal  Clinton  avoit  fait  embarquer  ses  troupes  dans  la  baye 
de  Huntington  il  avoit  même  mis  a la  voile  et  s’etoit  porté 
jusqu’à  la  hauteur  de  New  London  et  ce  n’est  qu’  alors  qu’ 
il  a changé  ses  projets. 

Dans  la  journée  du  19  Aoust,  il  a paru  vingt  batimens 
entre  Block  Island  et  la  pointe  Judith,  que  l’on  croit  etre  un 
convoi  portant  deux  mille  Anglois,  destinés  a faire  une  ex- 
pedition sur  le  continent  pour  l’approvisionnement  de  New 
York. 

Le  27  Aoust  nous  avons  appris  que  vingt  six  voiles 
Angloises  etoient  devant  l’Isle  de  Marthas  Vyniard,  et  il 
n’est  pas  douteux  que  ce  sont  les  même  voiles  que  nous 
avons  vu  le  19. 

Du  27  Aoust  au  18  Septembre  aucuns  évenemens  ni  même 
de  nouvelles  intéressantes  ne  nous  ont  tiré[s]  de  notre 
inactivité.  Le  18  Septembre  nous  avons  reçu  l’avis  de  l’ar- 
rivée de  l’Amiral  Rodney  a Sandy  Hoock  avec  dix  vaisseaux 
et  l’on  nous  a annoncé  ses  projets  sur  nous,  conjointement 
avec  le  General  Clinton  qui  dit  on  embarque  neuf  mille  cinq 
3 


18 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


cens  hommes  pour  operer  une  descente,  tandis  rpic  l’Amiral 
Rodney  avec  vingt  et  un  vaisseaux  de  ligne,  forcera  la  passe 
et  combattra  nos  sept  vaisseaux. 

Monsieur  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  est  absent,  une  entre- 
vue avec  le  General  Washington,  l’a  fait  partir  le  17  de  ce 
mois  de  Newport  pour  Hartford,  lieu  du  rendézvous  des 
deux  Generaux  et  c’est  le  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  qui  commande 
l’armée. 

Il  connoit  le  danger  que  nous  courons  et  toutes  ses  con- 
sequences, mais  il  connoit  tout  aussi  bien  les  moyens  que 
nous  avons  de  résister  et  les  ressources  que  nous  pouvons 
tirer  de  notre  position  et  de  notre  courage;  il  y joint  de 
plus  le  talent  de  persuader  les  esprits  et  de  les  ramener  a 
son  opinion,  et  j’avouerai  avec  plaisir  que  je  lui  accorde  tous 
les  droits  a la  mienne.  Il  a déterminé  le  19  de  ce  mois,  la 
ligne  de  Bataille  dans  la  quelle  notre  escadre  doit  combat- 
tre, il  en  appuyé  la  droite  a l’Isle  de  Ross  Island,  dans  la 
quelle  il  fait  mettre  en  batterie  quarante  pieces  de  canon  de 
36,  de  24  et  de  12  livres  de  balle  et  la  gauche  de  nos  sept 
vaisseaux  embossés  est  assurée  par  la  batterie  construite  a 
Brentons  point,  composée  de  8 pieces  de  24  et  de  4 mortiers 
de  12  pouces  de  diamètre.  Quatre  autres  mortiers  de  8 
pouces  et  4 pieces  de  24,  sont  destinées  a porter  les  1ers 
coups  a l’ennemi  l’ors  qu’il  sera  enfourné  dans  la  passe. 

Telle  est  la  position  dans  la  quelle  notre  escadre  attend 
l’attaque  des  ennemis  il  est  possible  qu’elle  succombe,  le 
nombre  peut  l’accabler,  mais  c’est  dans  les  occasions  les  plus 
périlleuses  qu’un  grand  courage  peut  se  déployer,  la  gloire 
est  proportionée  au  danger  que  l’on  court,  et  quand  l’on  n’a 
rien  a gagner  sur  l’ennemi,  quand  on  a cependant  la  res- 
source d’une  superbe  defense,  on  ne  doit  pas  balancer  a 
prendre  le  parti  de  la  faire,  se  sacrifier  même  s’il  le  faut. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


19 


On  pent  s’illustrer  en  se  perdant  ; les  larmes  que  l’ennemi 
donnera  a sa  victoire  seront  un  homage  qu’il  nous  rendra, 
et  la  postérité  nous  les  comptera  peut  etre  pour  des 
lauriers. 

Du  18  au  30  de  Septembre  nous  avons  continuellement 
été  occupés  a perfectionner  nos  dispositions  de  defense; 
nous  avons  vécu  jusques  la,  dans  l’esperance  de  voir  arriver 
la  flotte  de  Mr  le  Comte  de  Guichen  que  nous  jugeons  tous 
devoir  etre  a la  poursuitte  de  l’Amiral  Rodney  ; mais  nous 
avons  été  détrompés  a cet  egard  par  l’arrivée  de  la  fregatte 
la  Gentille  venant  du  cap  François,  elle  nous  a instruit  du 
départ  de  Mr  de  Guichen  des  Antilles,  escortant  un  convoi 
très  considerable  que  l’on  croit  qu’il  conduira  jusqu’en 
France.  La  Gentille  est  arrivée  le  30*  et  avoit  a son  bord 
Mr  de  Choisi  et  neuf  Officiers  François,  dont  M1'  de  Thuil- 
lieres  Capitaine  au  reg1  Ral  Deuxponts. 

Rodney  n’ayant  rien  entrepris  dans  les  quinze  premiers 
jours  de  son  arrivée,  il  etoit  presque  certain  qu’il  n’entre- 
prendroit  plus  rien;  la  lenteur  et  les  retards  lui  faisoient 
perdre  tous  ses  avantages,  et  vers  le  4 ou  le  5 Octobre,  nous 
étions  persuadés  que  nous  ne  serions  plus  attaqués,  et  que 
l’objet  de  l’Amiral  Rodney  etoit  plutôt  de  reparer  ses  vais- 
seaux, mal  traités  dans  les  combats  qu’  il  a eu  a soutenir 
contre  Mr  de  Guichen,  que  de  nous  combattre.  Nous  avons 
desesperé  alors  de  sortir  de  notre  inaction,  et  nous  avons 
commencé  a nous  occuper  de  nos  quartiers  d’hyver,  on  a 
travaillé  a force  a la  reparation  et  a l’arrangement  des  mai- 


* Le  même  jour  nous  avons  appris  la  nouvelle  de  la  trahison  infâme 
du  General  Arnold,  et  nous  apprenons  en  même  tems  que  le  Major 
André,  aide  de  camp  de  confiance  du  G11  Clinton  a été  arreté  déguisé, 
par  des  soldats  de  [la]  milice  Américaine,  et  que  ce  Major  Audré 
etoit  chargé  par  Cliuton  de  sa  négociation  avec  Arnold. 


20 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


sons  destinées  au  logement  des  troupes,  et  Mr  de  Rocharn- 
beau  a fixé  la  fin  du  mois  pour  l’évacuation  du  camp  et 
notre  entrée  a Newport. 

Le  28  D’Octobre,  les  fregattes  l’Amazone,  la  Surveillante 
et  l’Hermione  ont  appareillé,  la  premiere  va  en  France,  et 
passe  le  Vicomte  de  Rochambeau  a son  bord,  Les  deux  autres 
fregattes  vont  croiser,  je  ne  scais  ou. 

le  31  Octobre,  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois  a qvxittée  le 
camp  de  Newport  et  a pris  ses  quartiers  d’hyver  dans  la 
ville,  elle  a été  suivie  le  1er  de  Novembre  par  la  Brigade  de 
Soisonnois. 

Le  10  de  Novembre,  les  deux  Escadrons  des  Hussars,  de  la 
legion  de  Lauzun,  ont  quitté  Newport  pour  aller  prendre 
leurs  quartiers,  a Lebanon  dans  l’etat  du  Connecticut. 

le  15  de  Décembre  Monsieur  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay  Chef 
D’Escadre,  est  mort,  et  n’a  emporté  aucuns  regrets.  Mon- 
sieur Destouches,  le  plus  ancien  des  Capitaines  de  vaisseaux 
de  l’Escadre  en  a pris  le  commandement,  et  toutes  les 
opinions  se  reunissent  en  sa  faveur. 

L’Escadre  a ordre  de  se  tenir  prete  a sortir,  quatre  vais- 
seaux paroissent  etre  destinés  a appareiller  incessamment, 
pour  aller  au  devant  des  fregattes  la  Surveillante  et  l’Hermi- 
one  (maintenant  a Boston)  ou  elles  sont  rentrées  après  leur 
croisière,  et  qui  doivent  bientôt  rentrer  a Rhode  Island. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


21 


CAMPAGNE  DE  L’ANNÉE  1781 

Le  20  de  Janvier,  les  vaisseaux  TEveillé  et  Tardent , et  la 
Ircgatte  la  Gentille  ont  appareillé  pour  assurer  le  retour  des 
fregattes  la  Surveillante  et  V Hermione  ; ils  ont  essuyé  du  très 
mauvais  tems  et  sont  rentrés  le  21 

Dans  la  nuit  du  22  au  23  il  y a eu  un  très  fort  coup  de 
vent  qui  a fait  echouer  un  vaisseau  de  ligne  anglois  a la 
pointe  de  Montuc,  un  autre  vaisseau  anglois  a été  dematé. 
le  26  nos  deux  fregattes  sont  rentrées  ici  le  26  avec  V lsle  de 
France,  Gabarre,  ces  batimens  out  un  peu  souffert  du  mau- 
vais tems. 

Le  Vaisseau  anglois  qui  a péri  dans  le  dernier  coup  de 
vent,  est  le  Cïdloden  de  74  canons  et  le  vaisseau  dematé  est 
le  Betford  de  même  force  ; les  ennemis  stationnés  a Gard- 
ners Bay,  et  instruits  que  nous  attendions  deux  fregattes,  ont 
fait  sortir  trois  vaisseaux  pour  intercepter  leur  retour  et 
c’est  cette  croisière  qui  leur  a été  si  funeste. 

le  8 de  Février  a sept  heures  du  soir,  le  vaisseau  VEveillé 
les  fregattes  la  Surveillante  et  la  Gentille  et  le  cutter  la  Guepe 
ont  appareillé,  on  ignore  leur  destination  mais  tout  nous 
porte  a croire  qu’ils  vont  a la  riviere  de  James  dans  la  baye 
de  Chesapeack,  (ou  Arnold  est  débarqué  avec  1500  hommes) 
pour  brûler  ses  vaisseaux  de  transport,  et  combattre  un 
vaisseau  de  50  canons  et  deux  fregattes  qui  forment  son 
escorte,  et  qui  sont  embossés  pour  le  soutenir. 

Le  25  Février  a trois  heures  après  midi,  l’on  a signalé 
quatre  voiles  et  a six  heures  du  soir,  L'Eveillé  la  Surveillante 
et  la  Gentille  sont  rentrés  ici,  amenant  avec  eux  le  Romulus 
vaisseau  Anglois  de  44  canons  et  percé  a cinquante  quatre, 


22 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


que  l ’Eveillé  a pris  a la  hauteur  du  cap  Henri.  L’Objet  de 
la  sortie  de  L’Eveillé  etoit  la  destruction  des  batiraens 
D’Arnold,  mais  l’Eveillé  tire  trop  d’eau,  et  n’a  pas  pu  s’en- 
foncer asséz  avant  dans  la  riviere  de  James,  pour  entrer 
dans  la  riviere  d’Elisabeth,  qui  communique  avec  la  riviere 
de  James,  et  dans  la  quelle  toute  la  flotille  Angloise  est 
mouillée  ; l’Eveillé  a été  obligé  de  renoncer  a atteindre  le 
Charon  de  50  Canons  et  les  deux  fregattes  qui  y sont  et  qui 
ont  été  obligés  de  s’alleger  pour  y parvenir  ; la  Surveillante 
qui  s’etoit  un  peu  trop  avancée,  a même  été  echouée  pendant 
vingt  quatre  heures,  et  l’on  a été  obligé  de  la  décharger  de 
ses  canons  pour  la  remettre  a flot.  L’expedition  de  L’Eveillé 
dans  la  baye  de  Chesapeack,  s’est  bornée  a la  prise  de  trois 
corsaires  et  six  briques  ou  senaux  les  petits  batimens  ont 
été  brûlés  et  les  corsaires  conduits  a York  Town;  L’impos- 
sibilité de  faire  d’autres  entreprises  détermina  le  retour  de 
]VT  de  Tilly,  qui  faisant  route  pour  revenir  a Rhode  Island 
découvrit  un  batiment  et  le  chassa  ; le  batiment  prenant  les 
vaisseaux  chasseurs  pour  des  navires  de  sa  nation,  ne  prit 
chasse,  qu’au  moment  ou  il  fit  des  signaux  de  reconnoissance, 
auxquels  on  ne  répondit  point.  L’Eveillé  l’atteignit  bientôt, 
lui  présenta  son  travers  a la  portée  du  pistolet,  la  Gentille 
le  gagna  par  la  Hanche  et  on  lui  cria  dans  cette  position 
d’amener  son  pavillon,  il  amena  son  pavillon,  on  lui  cria 
d’amener  sa  flamme  ; il  amena  sa  flamme  ; enfin  le  Romulus 
se  rendit  a l’Eveillé,  sans  tirer  un  seul  coup  de  canon,  et  si 
l’on  ne  peut  pas  vanter  son  courage,  il  est  du  moins  permis 
de  juger  sa  docilité  extreme.  Mr  de  Tilly  amarina  sa  prise, 
et  fit  sans  perdre  de  tems,  route  pour  revenir  a Rhode 
Island.  Grande  joye  a Newport;  mais  nous  sommes  très 
inquiets  du  sort  du  cutter  la  Gvepe  sorti  avec  Mr  de  Tilly, 
qui  s’en  est  séparé  le  lendemain  de  sa  sortie,  et  dont  on  n’a 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


23 


aucunes  nouvelles,  le  Chevalier  de  Maulevrier  qui  commande 
ce  cutter  et  qui  a beaucoup  de  qualités  amiables,  joint  toutes 
celles  de  son  état  ; est  l’objet  particulier  de  nos  inquietudes 

Le  27  Février  nous  avons  reçu  la  nouvelle  de  l’arrivée  de 
la  fregatte  l’astrée  a Boston,  elle  est  partie  de  Brest,  et  a 
fait  une  traversée  de  63' jours. 

Le  6 de  Mars,  le  General  Washington  est  arrivé  a New- 
port et  a été  reçu  avec  tous  les  honneurs  dus  a un  Maréchal 
de  France. 

Le  8 de  Mars,  toute  notre  escadre,  composée  du  Duc  de 
Bourgogne , du  Neptune  du  Conquérant  de  L: Eveillé  du  Jason, 
de  la  Provence  de  V ardent,  du  Romulus  des  fregattes  la  Sur- 
veillante et  YHermione  et  du  vaisseau  le  Fantasque  armé  en 
Hutte  a mis  a la  voile  a six  heures  du  soir,  elle  à a bord,  quatre 
Compagnies  de  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs,  un  detachment  de 
164  hommes  de  chacun  de  nos  regiments  et  100  hommes 
d’artillerie,  le  tout  composant  1156  hommes,  on  a embarqué 
des  pieces  de  canon  de  16  et  de  12,  des  obusiers,  des  pieces 
d’artillerie  de  campagne,  tout  l’attirail  necessaire  pour 
attaquer  des  retranchemens,  nous  ne  doutons  pas  de  l’inten- 
tion d’attaquer  Arnold  conjointement  avec  loOü  hommes  de 
l’armée  Américaine,  commandés  par  le  Mis  de  la  Fayette,  et 
toutes  les  milices  de  l’etat  de  la  Virginie.  C’est  le  Bon  de 
Viomesnil  qui  commande  l’expedition,  le  M*5  de  Laval,  le 
Vicomte  de  Noailles,  Mre  D’Anselme  et  de  Gambs,  sont  les 
Officiers  supérieurs  employés  a ses  ordres. 

Le  10  Mars  a onze  heures  du  matin,  l’escadre  Angloise  a 
appareillé  de  la  baye  de  Gardner  et  nous  ne  pouvons  pas 
douter  qu’elle  ne  soit  a la  poursuitte  de  la  notre.  Les  cir- 
constances du  départ  de  l’ennemi,  prouvent  de  l’activité.  Ar- 
butlmot  instruit  des  préparatifs  de  notre  escadre  envoya  a 
la  decouverte,  un  vaisseau  et  une  fregatte  qui  parurent  le  9, 


24 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


devant  le  Goulet  de  Rhode  Island  s’en  approchèrent  de  très 
prés,  mirent  en  panne  et  y restèrent  asséz  de  tems  pour  voir 
d’une  maniéré  certaine  s’il  y avoit  encore  dans  notre  rade 
des  vaisseaux  de  guerre  ou  non,  convaincus  de  ce  qu  ’ils  vou- 
loient  scavoir,  ces  deux  batimens  virèrent  de  bord,  mirent 
toutes  voiles  dehors,  et  prirent  la  route  de  Gardners  Bay,  ils 
arrivèrent  a la  vue  de  leur  escadre  le  lendemain  matin,  et 
du  plus  loin  qu  ’ils  purent  etre  apperçus,  firent  des  signaux 
convenus,  auxquels  les  ennemis  appareillèrent  sur  le  champ. 
Leur  escadre  est  composée*  de  onze  voiles,  huit  vaisseaux 
et  trois  fregattes. 

Le  General- Washington  est  parti  de  Newport  le  13  Mars, 
on  lui  a rendu  a son  départ,  les  mêmes  honneurs  qu’  a son 
arrivée. 

Nous  sommes  persuadés  que  l’escadre  Angloise,  partie 
quarante  heures  après  la  notre,  ne  pourra  pas  l’atteindre,  et 
empecher  son  entrée  dans  la  baye  de  Chesapeack,  et  cette 
supposition  entraine  neccessairement  l’esperance  que  l’expe- 
dition  projettée  contre  Arnold,  sera  heureuse.  Nous  nous 
attendons  que  l’ennemi  voudra  se  venger  sur  nous,  et  tentera 
d’entrer  et  de  brûler  nos  batimens  de  transport,  ce  dédom- 
magé [me] nt  ne  pourra  cependant  pas,  quand  même  il  reus- 
siroit  etre  une  consolation  de  la  perte  que  nous  lui  ferons 
éprouver  en  Virginie,  et  nous  augmentons  ici  les  retranche- 
mens  de  toutes  nos  batteries,  et  particulièrement  celles  de 
Goad  Island,  pour  lui  préparer  une  vigoureuse  reception. 

Le  26  Mars  on  est  venu  pendant  que  nous  dinions,  nous 
dire,  que  l’on  signaloit  plusieurs  batimens  de  guerre  ; que  Mr 


* Notre  escadre  a appareillée  dans  la  ferme  persuasion  que  le  Bet- 
ford,  vaisseau  Auglois,  dematé  dans  le  coup  de  veut  du  22  au  23  de 
Janvier,  n’avoit  pas  encore  pu  etre  mis  en  état  de  sortir,  il  est  certain 
cependant  qu’il  fait  nombre  dans  son  escadre 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


25 


le  Ctc  de  Rochambeau  a qui  on  en  avoit  rendu  comte,  mon- 
toit  a cheval  pour  aller  a la  perche  des  signaux  que  l’artil- 
lerie avoit  ordre  de  se  porter  aux  batteries,  que  les  Grenadiers 
et  detachemens  destinés  a la  defense  de  Goad  Island  se 
tenoient  prêtes  a y etre  transportés,  et  que  tout  en  General, 
se  preparoit  a marcher  aux  postes  désignés  d’avance  par  le 
General,  nous  avons  aussitôt  interrompu  notre  repas  et  nous 
nous  sommes  mis  a la  suite  du  General  ; nous  avons  effec- 
tivement vu  ces  voiles,  portant  droit  sur  Rhode  Island,  et  il 
nous  etoit  impossible  encore  de  distinguer  si  elles  etoient 
amies  ou  ennemies  ; nous  avons  resté  a peu  prés  une  heure 
dans  l’incertitude,  après  la  quelle  nous  avons  reconnu  notre 
escadre,  qui  est  éntrée  le  même  soir  dans  la  Rade  de  New- 
port, et  nous  appris  que  contrariée  par  le  mauvais  teins,  par 
les  vents  contraires,  et  peut  etre  par  une  conoissance  impar- 
faite des  vents  regnans  sur  la  côte;  elle  n’avoit  pu,  (étant 
partie  le  8 Mars)  atteindre  que  le  14  Mars,  la  hauteur  du 
Cap  Charles  ; que  le  vent  de  Nord  Ouest  l’avoit  forcée  d’y 
croiser  pendant  deux  jours,  que  le  1 6 au  matin  le  vent  adonna  ; 
je  joins  ici  le  detail  du  combat  donné  le  même  jour  entre  les 
deux  escadres. 

Vendredi  16  Mars  a 12  lieues  environ  dans  l’est  de  la 
baye  de  Chesapeack  ; l’escadre  du  Roy,  aux  ordres  de  Mon- 
sieur Destouches,  couroit  bien  rassemblée,  le  cap  au  Nord,  les 
amures  a bas-bord,  les  vents  foibles  au  Sud  Est,  la  mer 
grosse,  le  tems  très  brumeux;  a six  heures  et  demi[e]  du 
matin,  la  fregatte  l’Hermione,  signala  une  voile  au  vent,  qu’ 
elle  reçut  ordre  d’aller  reconnaître  conjointement  avec  le 
vaisseau  L’eveillé;  quelques  tems  après  la  Flutte  le  Fan- 
tasque ayant  découvert  dix  autres  voiles  au  Sud  de  l’horizon, 
en  ht  les  signaux  d’avertissement  ; le  vaisseau  Cornuid*  fit 
aussitôt  celui  du  branlebas  du  combat,  et  ordonna  de  se 
4 


26 


MES  CAMPAGNES  d’aMEEIQUE. 


mettre  en  bataille,  les  amures  a bas  bord  : pendant  l’execu- 
tion de  ce  mouvement,  les  vents  passoient  successivement  au 
Nord,  ensuite  au  N.N.E.  et  se  fixèrent  au  Nord  Est,  ce  qui 
plaça  l’escadre  Françoise,  au  vent  de  l’Escadre  Angloise  a la 
distance  de  trois  lieues  ; elle  avoit  été  forcée  de  suivre  les 
vents  a mesure  qu’ils  changoient  et  l’orsque  la  brume  fut  un 
peu  dissippée,  elle  reparut  dans  la  hanche  de  stribord,  por- 
tant ainsi  que  nos  vaisseaux  a l'Est  Sud  Est.  A neuf  heures 
on  fit  le  signal  au  Fantasque  de  serrer  le  vent  et  de  forcer 
de  voiles,  et  a toute  l’escadre  celui  de  virer  vent  devant  par 
la  contremarche,  le  vent  commençoit  a souiller  avec  force,  la 
voilure  commune  etoit  la  misaine  et  les  huniers  ; l’ardent  et 
l’Eveillé  rompirent  leurs  grandes  vergues  et  nos  vaisseaux 
avoient  a peine  terminé  la  manoeuvre  ordonnée  que  l’escadre 
ennemie,  prit  les  mêmes  amures,  tenant  le  plus  avec  beau- 
coup de  voiles,  l’inégalité  de  la  marche  des  vaisseaux  ennemis 
les  sépara  en  deux  divisions,  tandis  que  l’escadre  Françoise 
toujours  eu  ligne  stribord  s’occupoit  a prendre  tous  les  ris  ; 
les  frigattes  angloises  et  quelques  uns  de  leurs  vaisseaux  de 
tete  portoient  des  perroquets.  Vers  onze  heures  ils  ap- 
prochaient sensiblement  le  serre  file  François,  Mr  des 
Touches  fit  alors  une  contremarche  Lof  pour  Lof,  courant 
en  bataille  a bord  opposé,  la  ligne  Françoise  fut  très  réguli- 
èrement formée,  et  les  premiers  vaisseaux  ennemis  diminu- 
èrent a l’instant  de  voile  et  arrivèrent  de  deux  quarts  ; Leur 
Amiral  les  rallia  bientôt,  continua  toujours  la  même  bordée 
en  serrant  le  vent,  et  les  deux  lignes  se  prolongèrent  alors, 
a toute  la  volée  du  gros  canon,  a midi  les  ennemis  qui 
portoient  beaucoup  plus  de  voiles  que  les  vaisseaux  Fran- 
çois, se  trouvèrent  a portée  de  virer  vent  devant  dans  les 
eaux  de  l’escadre  Françoise  qui  n’augmenta  pas  de  voile,  et 
a une  heure  le  chef  de  file  Anglois  n’etoit  gueres  qu’a  la  petite 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


27 


portée  du  serrefile  François  ; la  mer  etoit  grosse,  il  vent  oit 
très  frais,  plusieurs  batteries  basses  etoient  presque  noyées  ; 
Mr  Destouches  se  décida  a virer  vent  arriéré  par  une  seconde 
contremarche  pour  pouvoir  attaquer  sous  le  vent;  cette 
manoeuvre  fut  promptement  executée,  les  vaisseaux  de  tête 
eurent  ordre  d’arriver  de  quatre  quarts,  les  Anglois  sentirent 
que  leur  supériorité  devenoit  inutile  s’ils  se  battoient  au  vent  a 
bord  opposé  ; leur  premier  vaisseau  arriva  en  consequence  sur 
le  Conquérant  aux  mêmes  amures  ; il  etoit  une  heure  et 
demie,  et  les  vaisseaux  des  lignes  respectives  commencèrent 
alors  a se  canonner  de  très  prés  ; le  feu  devint  vif  a mesure 
qu’ils  arrivoient  dans  les  eaux  de  leurs  matelots  d’avant. 
Le  Conquérant  vaisseau  de  tete  qui  se  battoit  depuis  une 
demie  heure,  Lorsque  le  dernier  vaisseau  François  commença 
le  combat  contre  le  5ieme  de  la  ligne  Angloise,  avoit  déjà 
beaucoup  souffert  dans  ses  voiles  et  ses  agrès,  il  tomba  sous 
le  vent  et  fut  attaqué  par  plusieurs  gros  vaisseaux  contre 
les  quels  il  fit  un  feu  continu;  le  Duc  de  Bourgogne  et  le 
Neptune  arrivèrent  pour  le  defendre,  ce  mouvement  doubla 
nécessairement  la  ligne  pendant  quelques  minutes,  les  Anglois 
vouloient  profiter  de  ces  circonstances  pour  écraser  le  serrefil 
François  ; Le  London  gouverna  dans  la  hanche  du  vent  et 
deux  autres  vaisseaux  se  tinrent  dans  sa  poupe  a portée  de 
mousqueterie,  heureusement  ils  laissèrent  échapper  l’instant 
de  mettre  en  travers,  le  Duc  de  Bourgogne  et  le  Conqué- 
rant firent  sur  eux  un  très  grand  feu  qui  ne  leur  laissoit  que 
le  tems  de  faire  quelques  arrivées  en  envoyant  deux  volées 
presque  sans  aucun  effet,  quant  au  London,  dés  qu’on  put 
lui  presenter  le  travers,  il  essuya  a peine  quelques  volées  et 
se  rallia  au  vent  de  son  escadre  degrayé  de  sa  grande  vergue 
de  hune.  Les  derniers  coups  de  canon  cessèrent  sur  les 
trois  heures,  on  voyoit  alors  distinctement  deux  vaisseaux 


28 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D ’AMERIQUE. 


ennemis  très  maltraités  ; Mr  Destouches  fit  signal  de  rétablir 
la  ligne,  mais  le  Conquérant  répondit  qu’il'  ne  pouvoit  pas 
recommencer  le  combat,  alors  le  General  indiqua  l’air  de 
vent  Sud  Est  a petite  voilure,  les  ennemis  resteront  en  panne 
pour  se  reparer,  a 5 heures  on  dit  qu’ils  portoient  a l’Ouest  ; 
Le  lendemain  L’escadre  Françoise  fit  differentes  routes  et 
passa  l’aprés  midi  en  panne,  le  Conquérant  se  repara,  les 
autres  vaisseaux  avoient  peu  souffert.  Dimanche  Dix  huit 
on  chassa  un  gros  batiment  qui  fut  pris  et  amariné  par 
l’Hermione. 

Le  Combat  a été  vif,  bien  conduit  et  fait  honneur  a la 
marine  Françoise,  mais  l’objet  est  manqué  et  la  gloire  n’est 
qu’une  chimere  quand  elle  n’offre  point  de  résultats  avanta- 
geux. Le  Conquérant. , l'ardent  et  le  Jason  sont  les  trois 
vaisseaux  qui  ont  donné  le  plus  et  Mrs  de  La  Grandiere  de 
Marigni  et  de  La  Clocheterie  sont  les  trois  Capitaines  qui 
ont  pu  montrer  le  plus,  leur  valeur  et  leur  habilité.  L’Es- 
cadre Angloise  etoit  composée,  de  huit  vaisseaux  un  de  98, 
trois  de  74,  trois  de  64  et  un  de  50.  L’Escadre  Françoise 
etoit  composée  d’un  vaisseau  de  80,  deux  de  74  quatre  de 
64  et  un  de  44,  l’ennemi  etoit  supérieur  et  ne  peut  se  vanter 
d’aucun  avantage,  mais  ce  ne  sont  que  des  coups  donnés  et 
rendus. 

le  13  D’Avril  nous  avons  appris  que  le  cutter  La  Guêpe 
dont  nous  n’avions  pas  entendu  parler  depuis  sa  separation 
de  L’Eveillé,  s’est  perdu  sur  le  cap  Charles,  mais  que  le 
Chevalier  de  Maulevrier  et  tout  son  equipage  s’etoient 
sauvés. 

le  18  D’Avril  tous  les  batimens  de  transport  frettés  au 
compte  du  Roy  qui  avoient  porté  nos  troupes,  ont  mis  a la 
voile  pour  S1  Dominique,  sous  l’escorte  des  fregattes  la  Sur- 
veillante et  l’hermionc,  la  derniere  de  ces  deux  fregattes, 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


29 


quittera  le  convoi  a la  hauteur  de  la  Delaware  pour  aller  a 
Philadelphie,  mais  la  Surveillante  le  conduira  jusqu’à  sa 
destination. 

Le  6 Mai  la  fregatte  la  Concorde  est  arrivée  de  France  a 
Boston  en  quarante  et  quelques  jours  de  traversée,  elle 
avoit  a son  bord  M1'  le  Cte  de  Barras  chef  D’Escadre  qui 
remplace  le  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  et  le  Vicomte  de  Rocli- 
ambeau. 

Le  18  de  Mai,  on  a embarque  a bord  de  nos  huit  vais- 
seaux de  guerre,  sept  cents  cinquante  hommes,  tirés  par  de- 
tachemens,  de  nos  regiments,  de  l’artillerie  et  de  la  legion 
de  Lauzun,  on  croit  que  l’escadre  a demandée  ces  troupes, 
pour  la  croisière  par  la  quelle  elle  doit  protéger  l’arrivée  du 
convoi  que  nous  attendons  de  France. 

Le  même  jour  on  a signalé  l’escadre  Angloise,  qui  a 
mouillée  entre  Block  Island  et  la  pointe  Judith,  au  nombre 
de  neuf  voiles  toutes,  vaisseaux  de  ligne. 

le  22  Mai  un  petit  convoi  de  six  voiles,  que  nous  attendions 
de  Boston,  a paru  et  a été  signalé  a la  hauteur  de  Betford  ; 
Mr  de  Barras  aussitôt  qu'il  en  reçut  la  nouvelle,  prit  la  reso- 
lution d’appareiller  pour  sauver  ce  petit  convoi  qu’il  eut  été 
honteux  de  laisser  prendre  a notre  vue,  il  fit  le  signal  a l’es- 
cadre de  se  tenir  prete  a appareiller,  mais  le  vent  étant 
directement  contraire  aux  Anglois  tandis  qu’il  favorisoit  les 
nôtres,  il  devint  inutile  d’effectuer  le  projet  de  Mr  de  Barras, 
qui  ce  me  semble  cherchera  dans  tous  les  cas,  a soutenir 
vigoureusement  l’honneur  de  la  marine  Françoise. 

Les  Anglois  établis  depuis  le  18  Mai  entre  Block  Island 
et  la  pointe  Judith  ont  quitté  leur  station  le  23  Mai  ; on 
ignore  ou  ils  vont. 

le  5 de  Juin  nos  troupes  embarquées  sur  l’escadre  ont  été 
débarquées. 


30 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


Tout  le  mois  de  Mai  et  le  commencement  de  Juin,  avoient 
été  occupés  aux  préparatifs  du  départ  des  troupes  Francoises 
de  L’isle  de  Rhode 'Island  au  transport  de  tous  les  magazins 
a Providence  et  Hartford,  a la  disposition  des  marches  et 
des  camps  a l’achat  de  chevaux  pour  l’Artillerie,  et  a celui 
des  Boeufs  pour  les  Wagons,  et  aux  dispositions  pour  les 
vivres  et  les  fourages  ; 

le  18  de  Mai,  Mr  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  et  Mr  le  Che- 
valier de  Chastelux  sont  partis  de  Newport  pour  aller  trouver 
a Walter  Fie,d  (prés  de  Hartford)  le  General  Washington, 
avec  lequel  ils  avoient  un  rendézvous  ; nos  Generaux  sont 
revenus  le  26  et  du  moment  de  leur  retour  tous  les  préparatifs 
ont  redoublé  d’activité,  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau  et  Mr  de  Bar- 
ras ont  eus  ensemble  plusieurs  conferences  il  paroissoit  décidé 
que  notre  escadre  quitteroit  la  rade  de  Newport,  en  même 
tems  que  nous  en  abandonnerions  les  postes,  qu’  elle  iroit  a 
Boston  ou  elle  seroit  plus  en  sûreté  contre  toute  entreprise, 
qu’a  Rhode  Island,  ou  elle  etoit  exposée,  dés  qu’elle  n’etoit 
plus  soutenu  par  des  troupes  de  terre  en  nombre  considerable, 
cette  resolution  dont  les  Generaux,  même  paroissoient  con- 
venir, fut  suivie  d’un  moment  d’indecision.  Mr  de  Rocham- 
beau, etoit  d’avis  que  l’escadre  devoit  rester  a Rhode  Island, 
Mr  de  Barras  vouloit  aller  a Boston,  il  etoit  essentiel  cepen- 
dant de  reunir  les  avis,  de  se  concerter  et  de  prendre  une 
resolution  fixe.  Pour  terminer  toute  indecision  et  toute 
discussion,  on  assembla  le  31  Mai,  un  conseil  de  Guerre  a 
Bord  du  Duc  de  Bourgogne,  composé  de  Mr  de  Barras,  et 
des  Capitaines  de  vaisseaux  d’une  part,  et  de  nos  Generaux, 
Brigadiers  et  Commandans  de  Brigades  de  l’autre  ; la 
seance  dura  cinq  heures,  les  decisions  furent  tenues  secrettes, 
le  Duc  de  Lauzun  fut  chargé  de  les  aller  porter  au  General 
Washington  a New  Windsor;  deux  jours  après  l’on  vit  que 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


Si 

L’escadre  ne  faisoit  plus  de  préparatifs  de  depart,  et  l’on 
sent  que  le  projet  etoit  de  la  laisser  a Rhode  Island  et  de 
la  faire  garder  du  coté  de  terre  par  quatre  cents  hommes 
de  nos  troupes  tirés  par  detachemens  de  nos  quatre  regi- 
mens, et  d’y  joindre  quinze  cents  hommes  de  Milice  améri- 
caine, le  tout  commandé  par  Mr  de  Choisi.  Le  Duc  de 
Lauzun  revint  le  8 de  Juin  de  New  Windsor  avec  la  réponse 
du  Gal  Washington,  et  deux  heures  après,  les  mômes  person- 
nes qui  avoient  compose  le  premier  Conseil  de  Guerre,  se 
rassemblèrent  a bord  du  Neptune  et  vinrent  après  quatre 
heures  de  seance,  a bord  du  Duc  de  Bourgogne,  ou  Mr  de 
Barras  nous  avoit  invité  a un  grand  diner.  Le  Lendemain 
neuf  de  Juin,  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois,  reçut  l’ordre  de 
s’embarquer  avec  armes^et  bagages,  sur  des  petits  batimcns 
américains  qui  nous  transporteroient  a Providence. 

le  10  de  Juin  a cinq  heures  du  matin,  la  Brigade  de 
Bourbonnois  s’est  embarquée  sur  les  petits  batimens  qui  lui 
etoicnt  destinés,  et  n’est  arrivée  a Providence  qu’a  neuf 
heures  du  soir;  il  etoit  impossible  ce  même  soir  d’aller 
marquer  le  camp,  de  camper  et  de  recevoir  la  paille  et  le 
bois  qui  lui  etoient  necessaires  ; Mr  le  Baron  de  Viomesnil 
obtint  pour  ce  soir  la,  des  magistrats  de  la  ville,  quelques 
grandes  maisons  vuides  dans  lesquelles  on  coucha  les  soldats 
et  le  lendemain  onze,  a six  heures  du  matin,  nous  avons  été 
camper  sur  la  hauteur  qui  domine  Providence  a l’Ouest,  la 
Brigade  de  Soisonnois  est  arrivée  ce  même  jour  et  campe  a 
notre  gauche. 

L’escadre  du  Roy  est  definitivement  restée  a Newport, 
elle  est  gardée  par  quatre  cents  hommes  de  nos  troupes  et 
des  milices  américaines  qui  arrivent  fort  lentement  et  qui 
ont  dit  on,  des  engagemens  très  courts  a remplir.  Nous 
resterons  huit  jours  dans  le  camp  de  Providence,  et  ce 


32 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


tcms  nous  est  necessaire  pour  rassembler  les  chevaux  de 
L’Artillerie,  de  l’Hôpital  ambulant,  les  Wagons  qui  portent 
nos  equipages,  les  boeufs  qui  doivent  les  trainer  et  pour 
attendre  quatre  cents  cinquante  hommes  destinés  pour  notre 
armée  et  qui  viennent  d’arriver  a Boston  sur  le  convoi  venant 
de  France. 

De  Providence  nous  devons  dit  on,  nous  rendre  en  qua- 
torze jours  dont  douze  de  marche,  et  deux  [de]  séjours  a la 
riviere  D’Hudson,  ou  nous  attendrons  de  nouveaux  ordres; 
les  marches  d’ici  la,  ne  se  faisant  pas  dans  la  proximité  de 
l’ennemi,  doivent  pour  plus  grande  commodité,  se  faire  regi- 
ment par  regiment. 

le  16  de  Juin,  Monsieur  le  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  a passé 
notre  revue  d’entreé  de  campagne,  le  même  jour  nos  recrues 
sont  arrivées  de  Boston. 

le  18  de  Juin  le  regiment  de  Bourbonnois,  le  19  le  reg4 
de  Ral  Deuxpoints,  le  20  le  reg4  de  Soisonnois,  et  le  21  le 
reg4  de  Saint  Onge,  ont  successivement  quitté  le  camp  de 
Providence  et  en  conservant  toujours  entre  nous  la  distance 
d’une  journée  de  marche,  nous  avons  été  camper  le  premier 
jour  a Wattermans  Tavern  le  second  a Plain  field,  le  troi- 
sième a Windham  .*  le  quatrième  a Bolton  et  le  5ieme  a Hart- 
ford. Chaque  regiment  y séjournera  pendant  deux  jours  et 
nous  nous  remettrons  ensuite  en  marche  dans  le  même 
ordre  dans  lequel  nous  sommes  arrivés  a Hartford. 

* a Windham,  nous  campions  dans  un  petit  vallon  entouré  de  bois, 
une  heure  après  notre  arrivée,  le  feu  a pris  dans  le  bois  qui  est  a la 
gauche  du  camp,  nous  avons  employé  trois  cents  hommes  a l’eteindre, 
mais  nous  n’y  sommes  pas  parvenus,  le  feu  ne  ravageoit  que  les  brous- 
sailles et  n’attaquoit  pas  les  gros  arbres  ; cet  accident,  effrayant  dans 
tous  les  pays  est  asséz  indifferent  aux  Américains  dont  le  pays  est 
rempli  de  forets,  ils  en  sont  même  quelque  fois  bien  aise  pareeque 
cela  leur  épargné  la  peine  de  les  couper  pour  défricher  les  terres. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D ’AMERIQUE. 


33 


Arrivé  le  22  de  Juin,  le  regiment  de  Bourbonnois  a levé 
son  camp  le  25,  le  regiment  de  Royal  Deuxponts  le  26,  le 
•reg-t  de  Soisonnois  le  2 T et  le  reg1  de  Saint  Onge  le  28  et 
ont  été  camper  le  premier  jour  de  leur  marche  a Farming- 
ton,  le  second  a Barons  Tavern  le  troisième  a Breach  Neck  et 
le  quatrième  a Newtown  ; 

Tous  ces  differens  camps  que  nous  avons  pris  depuis 
notre  départ  de  Newport  n’avoient  d’autre  objet  que  celui 
de  faire  du  chemin,  et  nous  étions  beaucoup  trop  éloignés  de 
l’ennemi  pour  avoir  d’autres  precautions  a prendre  que 
celles  qu’  exigeoit  notre  discipline  intérieure  ; On  ne  s’est 
occupé  jusques  la,  que  de  notre  commodité  et  de  ce  qui 
pouvoit  épargner  de  la  fatigue  aux  troupes  ; mais  arrivés  a 
New  Town  on  eut  été  coupable  de  negligence  si  on  avoit 
continué  a témoigner  la  même  confiance  dans  l’impossibilité 
des  tentatives  de  l’ennemi.  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau 
détacha  pour  la  premiere  fois  a New  Town,  le  bataillon  de 
Grenadiers  et  chasseurs  de  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois.  Le 
General  avoit  en  premier  lieu,  le  projet  d’y  rassembler  nos 
quatre  regiments,  et  de  nous  faire  partir  ensuite  Brigade  par 
Brigade  a une  journée  de  distance,  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois 
devoit  se  mettre  en  marche  le  2 de  Juillet  et  la  Brigade  de 
Soisonnois  le  3.  Mais  un  courier  que  Mr  de  Rochambeau 
reçut  dans  la  nuit  du  30  de  Juin  au  licr  Juillet  du  General 
Washington  hâta  notre  départ;  on  battit  le  premier  a deux 
heures  du  matin  et  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois  décampa  et 
quitta  New  Town  le  1er  de  Juillet;  le  reg*  de  Soisonnois 
reste  dans  sa  position  pour  attendre  le  regiment  de  Saint 
Onge  qui  n’arrive  qu’aujourd’hui,  et  les  deux  regiments 
reunis  se  mettront  en  marche  demain  2 de  Juillet. 

La  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois  a été  camper  le  même  jour  a 
Ridge  Bury,  le  lendemain  2 de  Juillet  a Betford  et  le  3 a 
5 


34 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


North  Castle,  ou  nous  avons  été  joints  par  la  Brigade  de 
Soisonnois  qui  a doublé  une  marche  et  est  arrivée  en  un  jour 
de  Ridge  Bury  a North  Castle. 

Les  Grenadiers  et  chasseurs  continuent  a etre  détachés. 
La  Legion  de  Lauzun  qui  nous  avoit  joint  hier  deux  de  Juillet 
a Betford,  en  est  repartie  le  même  soir  renforcée  par  les 
Dragons  Américains  de  Scheldon  pour  aller  a la  poursuitte 
de  quatre  cents  Toris  qui  se  sont  montrés  dans  ces  environs, 
et  qui  ont  enlevé  des  bestiaux. 

Pendant  la  marche  que  nous  avons  fait[e]  pour  nous 
rendre  de  Newport  aux  bords  de  la  riviere  D’ILudson,  le 
General  Washington  dont  les  mouvements  etoient  concertés 
avec  les  nôtres,  a quitté  son  quartier  D’hyver  pris  a New 
Windsor,  et  s’est  porté  sur  Peaks  Kill  sur  la  riviere  du  Nord, 
(ou  Hudson)  ou  d’après  le  projet  convenu,  l’Armée  Françoise 
et  l’armée  Américaine  dévoient  se  reunir  ; arrivé  a Peaks 
Kill  le  Gal  Washington  reçut  la  nouvelle  de  la  sortie  d’un 
corps  de  troupes  Angloises  de  l’Isle  de  New  York,  et  qui 
s’etoit  porté  surWest  Cheaster  ; il  résolut  de  le  faire  attaquer, 
il  forma  en  consequence  une  avant  garde  aux  ordres  du  Gal 
Lincoln  de  mille  ou  douze  cents  hommes,  il  envoya  en  même 
tems  un  courier  a Mr  de  Rochambeau  pour  l’avertir  de  ses 
desseins,  pour  lui  donner  un  autre  rendéz  vous  de  reunion, 
pour  lui  faire  hâter  la  marche  de  notre  armée  et  pour  lui 
demander  la  Legion  de  Lauzun.  C’est  la,  la  raison  qui  nous 
a fait  partir  a l’improviste  de  New  Town,  qui  a fait  partir 
la  legion  de  Lauzun  le  même  soir  de  son  arrivée  a Betford, 
qui  a fait  doubler  une  marche  a la  Brigade  de  Soisonnois,  et 
qui  nous  a fait  porter  a North  Castle,  a portée  et  prêts  a 
marcher  au  premier  ordre  qui  eut  requis  notre  presence  ; 
que  seroit  devenue  necessaire,  si  la  demarche  des  Anglois, 
celle  du  GaI  Washington  et  la  notre  avoient  engagé  une 
action  serieuse  et  generale. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


35 


L’  avant  garde  aux  ordres  du  Gal  Lincoln,  descendit  la 
riviere  du  Nord  sur  des  bateaux,  le  Gal  Washington  en  suivit 
les  bords  pour  aller  a l’appui  de  Lincoln,  la  legion  de  Lau- 
zun,  et  les  Dragons  de  Scheldon,  arrivoient  d’un  autre  coté 
et  nous,  nous  attendrions  les  evencmens  a North  Castle. 
Bref,  le  General  Lincoln  attaqua  le  3 de  Juillet  ; soit  qu’il 
s’y  soit  mal  pris,*  qu’il  ait  attaqué  trop  tôt  ou  qu’il  ait  eu 
affaire  a un  ennemi  trop  nombreux,  il  fut  repousé,  perdit 
quatre  vingt  hommes  tués  ou  blessés  et  se  replia  sur  le  Gal 
Washington  qui  avoit  pris  avec  sa  petite  armée,  une  posi- 
tion propre  a favoriser  la  retraite  de  Lincoln.  La  Legion  de 
Lauzun  qui  n’avoit  entendue  que  le  bruit  des  coups  de  fusil 
sans  participer  au  combat  se  retira  de  son  coté,  et  c’est  ainsi 
que  se  termina  une  journée  peu  mémorable  et  peu  glorieuse. 

le  5 de  Juillet  le  Gal  Washington  dont  l’armée  est  déjà 
campée  dans  la  position  que  nous  allons  occuper  demain,  est 
venu  nous  voir  a North  Castle. 

Le  6 de  Juillet  nous  avons  quitteé  le  camp  de  North 
Castle  et  sommes  venus  après  une  marche  très  longue  très 
fatiguante  et  une  chaleur  affreuse;  occuper  le  Camp  de 
Philippsburg,  ou  notre  reunion  avec  l’arméet  américaine  s’est 
effectuée.  La  droite  des  deux  armées  est  appuyée  a uu  Vallon 
et  est  placée  sur  une  hauteur  très  elevée  et  très  roidej:  qui 
domine  ce  vallon,  au  centre  est  un  fonds  dans  lequel  coule 
un  petit  ruisseau,  ce  fonds  qui  séparé  les  François  d’avec  les 


* Nous  n’avons  jamais  pu  scavoir  le  vrai  de  cette  attaque,  ni  des 
causes  qui  l’ont  fait  manquer,  le  Duc  de  Lauzun  qui  y etoit  m’a  affirmé 
lui  même  qu’il  n’en  scavoit  rien 

f On  nous  disoit  a Newport  l’armée  Américaine  forte  de  10000 
hommes  ; elle  l’est  de  2500  a 3000  hommes,  et  ce  n’est  pas  mentir  beau- 
coup pour  des  Américains. 

% a trois  milles  de  la  riviere  du  Nord. 


36 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


Américains,  a des  bords  très  élevés  et  très  escarpés,  la  gauche 
est  appuyée  a un  petit  ruisseau,  très  voisin  de  Broukriver  sur  la 
quelle  nous  avons  des  postes,  le  front  du  camp  est  couvert  de 
bois  et  nous  n’avons  rien  a craindre  pour  nos  derrières.  La 
Legion  de  Lauzun  campée  a White  plains  a quatre  milles  de 
notre  gauche,  nous  assure  de  ce  coté  la  ; toutes  les  avenues 
imaginables  sont  garnies  de  postes  avancés  tant  Francois  qu’ 
américains  et  notre  eloignement  de  King's  Bridge  n’est  que 
de  dix  milles. 

Le  8 de  Juillet  le  Gal  Washington  a passé  la  revue 
d’honneur  de  l’armée  Françoise. 

le  14  de  Juillet  a six  heures  du  soir,  la  brigade  de  Bour- 
bonnois,  les  bataillons  de  Grenadiers  et  chasseurs  des  deux 
Brigades,  et  la  legion  de  Lauzun  reçurent  l’ordre  de  marcher 
et  la  retraite  devoit  tenir  lieu  de  la  generale  pour  fixer  le  mo- 
ment du  départ;  notre  marche  devoit  etre  combinée  avec 
une  grande  partie  de  l’armée  Américaine,  mais  a sept  heures 
nous  reçûmes  contre  ordre. 

le  15  de  Juillet  a dix  heures  et  demie  du  soir  nous  enten- 
dîmes plusieurs  coups  de  canon,  de  la  mousqueterie,  et  un 
moment  après,  on  battit  la  Generale,*  toute  l’armée  courut 
aux  armes  et  fut  formée  en  un  instant,  après  avoir  restés 
en  bataille  pendant  une  demie  heure  ou  trois  quarts 
d’heure,  on  nous  donna  l’ordre  de  rentrer  dans  nos  tentes. 
A cinq  heures  du  matin,  une  méprisé  pareille  a celle  de  la 
veille,  fit  tirer  des  coups  de  canon  d’allarme,  mais  on  ne 
nous  fit  pas  mettre  sous  les  armes. 

Dans  la  matinée  du  16  Juillet,  j’appris  que  les  coups  de 
canon  de  la  veille  avoient  été  tirés  a Tarri  Town  (petit  en- 


* c’est  une  marque  de  zélé  très  précipitée,  très  mal  entendue  et  très 
déplacée  qui  a fait  battre  la  Generale 


MES  CAMPAGNES  IVAMERIQIIE. 


37 


droit  au  bord  de  la  riviere  D’Hudson,  ou  on  avoit  jusques  la, 
débarqué  les  farines  qui  nous  viennent  des  Jerseys)  par 
deux  fregattes  Angloises  qui  avoient  voulu  soutenir  une 
attaque  faite  par  trois  schoners  Anglois  dont  l'intention  etoit 
de  prendre  ou  brûler  cinq  petits  batimens  chargés  de  farines  ; 
l’attaque  fut  infructueuse,  ils  parvinrent  a la  vérité  a mettre  le 
feu  a un  de  ces  batimens,  mais  il  fut  eteint  et  la  cargaison 
sauvée  : On  apprit  que  cette  flotille  Angloise  etoit  encore 
dans  la  même  position  que  la  veille;  l’artillerie  de  West 
point  n’etoit  point  arrivée;  le  GaI  Washington  demanda  deux 
de  nos  pieces  de  douze  et  deux  obusiers,  qui  partirent  a 
l’instant,  je  précédai  leur  arrivée,  j’attendis  celle  de  nos 
pieces  qui  furent  aussitôt  mises  en  batterie  et  commencèrent 
a tirer;  nos  cannoniers  peu  accoutumés  a tirer  sur  l’eau 
portèrent  fort  peu  de  leurs  coups  a bord  des  fregattes,  qui 
nous  tirèrent  quelques  coups  de  canon,  et  se  touerent  ensuite 
■hors  de  notre  portée. 

les  fregattes  restèrent  dans  leur  même  position,  le  1 7,  et 
le  18;  le  19  en  redescendant  la  riviere  du  Nord  pour 
retourner  a New  York  elles  furent  saluées  a leur  passage  a 
Dobs  Ferry  par  deux  pieces  de  canon  et  deux  obusier  qui 
y avoient  été  transportés,  une  obuse  porta  a bord,  mit  le 
feu  a la  fregatte,  et  y répandit  une  telle  terreur  que  vingt 
sept  matelots  se  jetterent  a l’eau,  quelques  uns  furent  noyés, 
trois  furent  faits  prisonniers  et  les  autres  regagneront  la 
fregatte,  sur  la  quelle  le  feu  etoit  eteint. 

le  21  Juillet  a six  heures  et  demi[e]  du  soir,  nous  reçûmes 
le  même  ordre  que  le  14  de  ce  mois,  même  quantité  de 
troupes,  tant  Françoises  qu’  Américaines,  même  nombre  de 
colonnes,  même  train  d’artillerie  et  même  heure  de  départ. 

Nous  nous  mimes  en  marche  sur  trois  colonnes,  a huit 
heures  du  soir  et  nous  la  dirigeâmes  vers  l’isle  de  New  York, 


38 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


par  des  chemins  affreux  qui  ne  nous  permirent  d'arriver  qu’ 
a quatre  heures  et  demi|"e]  du  matin,  dans  la  plaine  prés  de 
Kings  Bridge  a vue  des  forts  Anglois,  nous  nous  mimes  en 
bataille  ; l’armée  Américaine  dont  la  droite  etoit  appuyée  a 
la  riviere  qui  séparé  York  Island  du  continent,  avoit  la 
droite  de  l’ordre  de  bataille,  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois  le 
centre,  et  les  deux  bataillons  de  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  la 
gauche  ; plusieurs  corps  de  troupes  américaines  furent 
placés  en  avant  et  s’approchèrent  du  fort  (N°  8)  que  les 
Anglois  possèdent  dans  le  continent  et  qui  pouvoit  etre  de 
nous  a la  distance  d’un  mille  et  demi.  Il  s’engagea  quelques 
petites  escarmouches  entre  des  Dragons  Anglois  et  des 
Dragons  Américains  mais  qui  n’etoient  d’aucune  consequence. 
Monsieur  le  Comte  de  Rochambeau  et  le  General  Washing- 
ton allèrent  pendant  la  matinée  reconnaître  les  forts,  on  leur 
tira  quelques  coups  de  fusil  et  de  canon  ; nous  allâmes  tous 
a mesure  que  nous  en  obtenions  la  permission  faire  nos  re- 
connoissances  particulières;  partout  nous  trouvâmes  des 
chasseurs  Hessois  qui  nous  tiroient  des  coups  de  fusil  et  des 
que  des  forts,  l’on  voyoit  un  peti-t  attroupement  a portée,  on 
tiroit  du  canon.  Nous  n’avions  ni  tentes  ni  bagages  avec 
nous,  les  troupes  bivouaquèrent  la  nuit  du  22  au  23,  et 
restèrent  dans  leur  même  position  pendant  la  journée  du  23 
que  les  Generaux  employèrent  aussi  a faire  leurs  reconnois- 
sances  sur  tous  les  points  de  l’isle  D’York. 

Du  coté  de  Morissana,  ils  etoient  couverts  par  le  legion 
de  Lauzun  et  un  bataillon  Américain,  ils  s’approchèrent  très 
prés  de  deux  pieces  de  canon  et  de  deux  cents  hommes 
postés  qui  firent  un  feu  asséz  vif  de  coups  de  canon  et  de 
coups  de  fusil  ; personne  cependant  ne  fut  ni  tué  ni  blessé, 
le  Cte  de  Damas  seul,  eut  son  cheval  tué  sous  lui. 

Le  23  a cinq  heures  du  soir,  toutes  les  reconnoisances 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


39 


étant  finies,  le  General  nous  [donna]  l’ordre  du  départ  ; 
notre  marche  pour  retourner,  s’est  faite  dans  l’ordre  inverse 
de  celui  que  nous  avions  suivi  dans  notre  marche  en  avant, 
lés  ennemis  n’ont  pas  tenté  de  nous  troubler,  et  a onze  heures 
du  soir  nous  sommes  rentrés  dans  le  camp  de  Philippsburg. 

Depuis  le  23  de  Juillet  jusqu’  au  14  D’Aoust  nous  avons 
tranquillement  resté[s]  dans  notre  même  camp  de  Philipps- 
burg, il  n’y  a eu  d’operations  un  peu  militaires  que  quelques 
fourrages  a Moreneck  et  a New  Rochelle  sur  le  bord  du 
Sound  ; ils  etoient  asséz  dans  le  voisinage  de  l’ennemi,  qu’il 
ait  pu  pour  tirer  parti  et  nous  troubler.  Nous  avons  pris 
pour  la  force  et  la  disposition  de  la  chaîne  qui  devoit  assurer 
ces  fourrages,  toutes  les  précautions  que  la  proximité  des 
anglois  pouvoit  exiger  ; mais  notre  adversaire  est  peu  entre- 
prenant et  peu  vigilant  et  aucun  détachement  n’a  paru. 

le  14  D’Aoust,  nous  avons  reçu  l’importante  nouvelle  de 
la  prochaine  arrivée  de  Monsieur  le  Comte  de  Grasse,  dans 
les  parages  de  l’Amerique  Septentrionale  ; il  a du,  pour  cet 
objet,  mettre  a la  voile  du  Cap  François,  le  4 D’Aoust;  il 
nous  amene  vingt  huit  vaisseaux  de  ligne,  l’on  annonce 
aussi  trois  mille  hommes  de  troupes  de  debarquement,  et 
toutes  les  garnisons  des  vaisseaux,  doivent  dit  on,  seconder 
nos  operations  de  terre. 

Le  19  Aoust,  l’armée  Françoise  a quittée  le  camp  de 
Philippsburg,  nous  ne  connoissons  pas  l’objet  de  notre 
marche  et  nous  ignorons  parfaitement  si  nous  entreprendrons 
sur  New  York,  ou  si  nous  allons  en  Virginie,  attaquer  le 
Lord  Cornwallis  qui  dans  ce  moment  ci  occupe  le  poste  de 
Portsmouth  avec  une  considerable  quantité  de  troupes.  Une 
arriéré  garde  etoit  essentielle  dans  la  circonstance  actuelle  ; 
Mr  de  Rochambeau,  la  forma  des  deux  bataillons  de  Gre- 
nadiers et  Chasseurs  de  l’armée  et  .de  la  legion  de  Lauzun, 


40 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


le  Vte  cle  Viomesnil  la  commande  en  chef;  je  commande 
le  Bataillon  de  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  de  la  Brigade 
de  Bourbonnois,  et  le  Chevalier  de  La  Valette,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  du  regiment  de  Saint  Onge  commande  celui  de  la 
Brigade  de  Soisonnois  ; nons  avons  occupés  les  avenues 
de  New  York,  pendant  le  déblai  de  l’armée  et  de  son  artil- 
lerie, les  troupes  se  Sont  mises  en  marche  a midi,  et  ce 
n’est  qu’a  deux  heures  et  dcmi[e]  que  nous  avons  pu  re- 
tirer nos  postes,  et  commencer  la  notre,  a un  mille  du  camp 
les  Bataillons  de  Grenadiers  et  chasseurs  se  sont  reunis  et 
a très  peu  de  distance  de  la,  nous  avons  commencé  a trouver 
des  Wagons  cassés  que  nous  ne  pouvions  pas  laisser  en 
arriéré,  et  qui  ont  si  fort  retardé  notre  marche,  qu’  a huit 
heures  du  soir  nous  n’avions  encore  faits  que  quatre  milles  ; 
une  pluie  affreuse  qui  avoit  abimée  et  rompu  tous  les  chemins 
et  qui  nous  avoit  tous  percé[s],  engagea  le  Vicomte  de  Vio- 
mesnil,  a nous  faire  arrêter  a la  maison  IV Alexander  Lark , 
nous  avons  fait  de  grands  feux,  nous  nous  sommes  séchés 
de  notre  mieux  et  nous  avons  bivouaqué. 

Le  20  D’Aoust  a une  heure  après  midi  nous  nous  sommes 
remis  en  marche  et  avons  été  jusqu’  a Leguids  Tavern  ou 
nous  sommes  arrivés  a onze  heures  du  soir,  et  ou  nous  avons 
bivouaqué  encore. 

L’armée  dont  l’arriere  garde  avoit  été  séparée  pendant 
ces  deux  jours,  avoit  été  [dans]  celui  de  son  départ  jusqu’  a 
North  Castel  ou  elle  n’est  arrivée  que  le  20  D’Aoust  a cinq 
heures  du  matin,  après  dix  sept  heures  de  marche  consecu- 
tive, elle  y a passé  toute  la  journée  du  vingt  et  nous  scavons 
que  nous  devons  la  rejoindre  demain. 

le  21  D’Aoust,  nous  avons  quitté  Leguids  Tavern,  et  avons 
rejoint  le  corps  de  l’armée  a Peans  Bridge  sur  la  riviere  du 
Crotton,  de  la,  le  Bataillon  de  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  de 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


41 


Bourbonnois  a fait  l’arriere  garde  immediate  de  l’armée,  et 
celui  de  Soisonnois  a reçu  l’ordre  de  rester  sur  le  bord  du 

o 

Crotton  jusqu’à  ceque  tous  les  equipages  fussent  passés. 
Nous  avons  marché  ce  jour  la  jusqu’à  Hounds  Tavern  ou 
nous  avon  retrouvé  nos  tentes  et  campé.  Mon  bataillon  a 
campé  séparément  sur  le  flanc  gauche  de  l’armée. 

Le  22  D’Aoust,  j’ai  fait  l’avant  garde  immediate  de  l’armée, 
jusqu’au  camp  de  Verplanks  Point  sur  la  riviere  du  Nord; 
les  Grenadiers  et  chasseurs  y reçurent  l’ordre  de  rentrer 
dans  leur  yegiments  et  nous  nous  préparons,  a passer  la 
riviere  avec  toute  la  promptitude  possible,  la  grosse  artil- 
lerie et  la  Legion  de  Lauzun,  doivent  passer  aujourd’hui 
encore  et  prendre  poste  de  l’autre  coté  de  la  riviere  D’Hud- 
son. 

La  journée  du  23  Aoust  a été  employée  a embarquer  et  a. 
faire  passer  les  equipages.* 

Le  24  Aoust  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois  a passé  la  riviere 
D’Hudson  et  a été  camper  a Haver strow  prés  de  la  maison 
de  Smitt  dans  la  quelle  Arnold  a formé  avec  le  Major  An- 
glois  André  le  complot  infâme  de  trahir  sa  patrie. 

Yoici  maintenant  notre  ordre  de  marche  le  Gal  Washing- 
ton avec  prés  de  trois  mille  hommes  nous  precede  d’un  jour, 
la  brigade  de  Bourbonnois  et  la  legion  de  Lauzun,  suivent 
le  lendemain,  et  la  marche  de  l’armée  combinée  est  terminée 
le  troisième  jour  par  la  Brigade  de  Soisonnois.  Le  General 
Washington  a laissé  au  camp  de  Werplanks  point,  le  General 


* Un  ennemi  un  peu  hardi  et  un  peu  habile  eut  saisi  une  circonstance 
aussi  favorable  pour  lui,  et  aussi  embarassante  pour  nous,  que  celle  de 
notre  passage  de  la  riviere  du  Nord  ; je  ne  connois  pas  l’indifference  avec 
la  quelle  le  G»1  Clinton  considéré  nos  mouvemens,  elle  est  pour  moi  une 
enigme  indéchiffrable,  et  j’espre  que  l’on  n’aura  jamais  a me  reprocher 
d’en  donner  a deviner  de  pareilles. 

6 


42 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


Heates  avec  trois  mille  hommes  pour  defendre  l’etat  de  New 
York  et  le  cours  de  la  riviere  du  Nord,  j’ignore  si  [le]  corps 
conservera  sa  position  ou  s’il  remontra  jusqu’à  West  point, 
le  25  Aoust,  nous  avons  été  camper  a Soffrin 
le  26  Aoust  nous  avons  marché  a Pomplon .*  Le  corps 
du  Gal  Washington  se  séparé  de  nous,  et  a l’air  de  se  porter 
vers  Paulus  Hock  ou  vers  Staten  Island  ; je  ne  puis  fixer 
mon  opinion  sur  l’objet  de  notre  marche,  je  suis  tenté  de 
croire  que  les  Américains  agiront  sur  un  des  deux  points 
qu’ils  menacent,  et  je  suis  bien  certain  qu’ils  n’opereront 
point  sans  nous. 

Le  27  Aoust,  nous  avons  été  camper  a Hanover  ou  Vibani 
prés  de  Morris  Town,  nous  devons  [yj  séjourner  demain. 
C’est  ici  que  j’ai  appris  sous  le  plus  grand  secret  d’un  de 
mes  amis,  bien  instruit,  que  toutes  les  manoeuvres  par  les 
quelles  on  a l’air  d’en  vouloir  a New  York  ne  sont  qu’une 
feinte,  que  Lord  Cornwallis  est  l’objet  reel  de  nos  marches, 
et  que  nous  allons  les  diriger  vers  la  Virginie, 
le  29  Aoust  nous  avons  campé  a Bullions  Tavern 
le  30  Aoust  a Sommerset 
le  31  Aoust  a Prince  Town 

le  1er  de  Septembre  nous  avons  marché  a Trenton  ou  nous 
passons  la  Delaware  nous  conservons  nos  tentes,  mais  les 
equipages  passent  dés  aujourd’hui  la  riviere  a gué.  Demain 
matin  les  troupes  la  passeront  en  bateaux, 
le  2 nous  avons  campé  a Red  Lions  Tavern 


* Après  que  les  troupes  etoient  établies  dans  leur  camp,  j’ai  profité 
du  voisinage  dans  lequel  nous  nous  trouvions  du  Totoha  Fall  pour 
l’aller  voir,  Quoique  fatigué,  je  n’ai  point  regretté  dix  milles  pour 
aller  et  dix  mille  pour  revenir  qu’il  a fallu  que  je  fasse  pour  satisfaire 
ma  curiosité  et  j’ai  trouvé  le  spectacle  de  cette  cascade  aussi  singulier 
qu’il  est  imposant 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


43 


le  3 de  Septembre  nous  avons  marché  a Philadelphie  le 
congrès  s’est  trouvé  a notre  passage,  nous  lui  avons  rendsu 
les  honneurs  que  le  Roy  nous  ordonne  de  lui  rendre,  les 
treize  membres  ont  oté  leur  treize  chapeaux  a chaque  salut 
de  drapeau  et  d'officier  et  c’est  la,  tout  ce  que  j’en  ai  vu 
d’honnete  et  de  remarquable.  Après  avoir  traversé  Phila- 
delphie nous  avons  été  camper  au  bord  de  la  riviere  du 
Ùclndkill,  a une  bonne  mille  du  avant  [devant?]  de  la  ville. 
Nous  séjournons  demain. 

le  5 de  Septembre  nous  avons  été  camper  a Cheaster  ou 
nous  avons  appris  la  nouvelle  certaine  de  l’arrivée  du  compte 
de  Grasse  avec  vingt  huit  vaissseaux  de  ligne  et  trois  mille 
cinq  cents  hommes  de  troupes  aux  ordres  du  Marquis  de  S£ 
Simon  qu’il  a débarqué,  le  27  Aoust,  lendemain  de  son 
arrivée,  avec  ordre  de  se  joindre  au  corps  du  de  la 
Fayette. 

La  joye  qu'une  aussi  heureuse  nouvelle  répand  parmi 
toutes  nos  troupes,  celle  dont  elle  pénétre  le*  Gal  Washing- 
ton et  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau,  est  plus  aisée  a sentir 
qu’a  exprimer.  Le  moment  qui  doit  etre  la  recompense  de 
nos  peines  de  nos  fatigues  et  de  notre  eloignement  approche, 
et  j'espere  que  nous  la  sasirons. 

le  6 de  Septembre  nous  avons  campé  a Wilmington 


* jai  été  aussi  surpris  que  j’ai  été  touché  de  la  joye  bien  vraie  et  bien 
pure  du  G»1  Washington.  D’un  naturel  froid  et  d’un  abord  grave,  et 
noble  qui  chez  lui  n’est  que  veritable  dignité  et  qui  sied  si  bien  au 
chef  de  toute  une  nation,  ses  traits,  sa  phisionomie,  son  maintien 
tout  a changé  en  un  instant  ; il  s’est  dépouillé  de  sa  qualité  d’arbitre 
de  l’amerique  Septentrionale  et  s’est  contenté  pendant  un  moment  de 
celle  du  citoyen  heureux,  du  bonheur  de  son  pays  ; un  enfant  dont  tous 
les  voeux  eussent  été  comblés  n’eut  pas  prouvé  une  sensation  plus 
Vive,  et  je  crois  faire  honneur  aux  sentimens  de  cet  homme  rare,  en 
cherchant  a en  exprimer  toute  la  vivacité. 


44 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


Le  1 de  Septembre  nous  avons  marché  a Elk  Town  qui 
peut  etre  considéré  comme  la  source  de  la  baye  de  Cliesa- 
peack  ; Elk  Town  est  plus  connu  sous  le  nom  de  Head  of 
Elk  pareeque  c’est  la  que  la  riviere  D’Elle  commence  a 
devenir  naviguable. 

Nous  espérions  trouver  ici,asséz  de  moyens  pour  embarquer 
toute  notre  armée  mais  il  n’y  a de  batimens  que  pour  1200 
hommes  et  Mr  de  Rochambeau  les  employe  a embarquer  les 
Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  et  infanterie  de  la  légion  de  Lauzun, 
le  corps  de  1 armée  marchera  par  terre  jusqu’à  Baltimore, 
ou  j’espere  que  nous  nous  embarquerons  aussi,  si  l’on  n’en 
trouvoit  pas  les  moyens  il  faudroit  marcher  jusques  a la 
riviere  D’York,  marche  longue  et  pénible,  mais  nous  scaurons 
la  soutenir.  Nous  séjournerons  demain  neuf  de  Septembre 
ici,  et  nous  nous  remettrons  en  marche  après  demain. 

le  9 de  Septembre  nous  nous  sommes  remis  en  marche  ; 
la  collonne  des  equipages  a été  séparée  de  la  colonne  des 
troupes  a cause  du  peu  du  moyens  que  présente  le  ferri  de 
la  riviere  la  Souskehana  pour  les  passer  en  bateaux,  ils 
sont  obligés  de  faire  un  détour  et  de  chercher  un  gué  a sept 
milles  au  dessus  du  ferri  ; le  detour  qu’ils  font,  les  mauvais 
chemins  qu’ils  rencontreront,  nous  en  priveront  pendant  plu- 
sieurs jours  et  nous  faisons  très  gayement  le  troc  de  nos 
lits  contre  la  simple  peau  d’ours.  Les  troupes  ont  passé 
le  ferri  de  la  Souskehana  adjourd’hui  9,  en  bateaux,  et  nous 
avon  été  bivouaquer  a un  mille  de  Lower  Ferri,  ou  nous 
avons  traversé  la  riviere. 

le  10  de  Septembre  nous  avons  été  bivouaquer  a Burch 
Hartford. 

le  11  de  Septembre  nous  avons  marché  a Wait  Marsch 
nous  y avons  été  joints  par  nos  chariots  de  tentes,  mais  nous 
n’entendons  point  encore  parler  de  nos  equipages. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


45 


le  12  de  Septembre  nous  sonies  arrivés  a Baltimore.  Le 
Bon  de  Viomesnil,  nous  a des  notre  arrivée  fait  part  des  mo- 
yens d’embarqement  qu’on  lui  avoit  fourni  et  qu’il  croyoit 
sufBsans  pour  embarquer  la  Brigade  de  Bourbonnois.  11 
nous  chargea  le  Marquis  de  Laval  et  moi  de  les  verifier  et 
de  faire  l’estimation  exacte  du  nombre  d’hommes  que  chaque 
bateau  pouvoit  contenir,  nous  nous  en  sommes  occupés  avec 
tout  le  soin  imaginable,  mais  malgré  tout  le  désir  que  noua 
avons  de  réussir  a nous  embarquer  ici,  nous  voyons  qu’il 
est  impossible  d’y  songer.  Le  General  a ordonné  pour  de- 
main un  essai  d’embarquement  et  c’est  d’après  cela  qu’il 
sera  décidé  si  nous  marcherons  par  terre  ou  si  nous  descen- 
drons la  baye  de  Chesapeack. 

le  13  de  Septembre,  l’essai  d’embarquement  projetté  hier, 
s’est  fait  ce  matin,  le  Baron  de  Viomesnil  a jugé  impossible 
d’exposer  les  troupes  a la  torture  d’une  position  aussi  genée 
et  aussi  contrainte  que  celle  dans  la  quelle  elles  seroient 
obligées  de  se  tenir  pendant  plusieurs  jours  et  aux  risques 
que  nous  courions  dans  de  petits  bateaux  indignement 
équipés  de  tous  points  ; il  s’est  déterminé  a nous  faire 
marcher  par  terre,  tous  les  arrangemens  de  subsistance  vont 
etre  pris,  nous  avons  deux  jours  a rester  ici  et  je  vais  les 
occuper  aux  reparations  indispensables  d’habillement  et  de 
chaussure;  nous  nous  remettons  en  marche  le  16  et  ce  ne 
sera  que  vers  la  fin  du  mois  au  plutôt  que  nous  arriverons  a 
notre  destination  ; la  fatigue  d’une  route  aussi  considerable 
n’est  point  une  consideration  qui  m’afBige,  mais  il  est  a 
craindre  qu’a  notre  arrivée  les  operations  contre  Lord  Corn- 
wallis ne  soient  commencées  peut  etre  même  finies,  le  Bou 
de  Viomesnil  m’a  cependant  certifié  qu’il  avoit  l’assurance 
positive  de  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau  de  ne  rien  entrepren- 
dre avant  l’arrivée  du  corps  de  notre  armée.  Puisse  t’il 
tenir  parole. 


46 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


L’orsque  nous  avons  appris  la  nouvelle  de  l’arrivée  du 
Cte  de  Grasse,  nous  scavions  déjà  celle  de  L’Amiral  Hood  a 
Sandy  Hock,  et  nous  sommes  certains  qu’il  a remis  a la  voile 
deux  jours  après  son  arrivée  augmenté  de  l’escadre  de  l’Ami- 
ral Graves,  nous  croyons  que  la  flotte  Angloisc  va  chercher,  ou 
a donner  des  secours  a Cornwallis,  ou  croiser  pour  inter- 
cepter l’escadre  de  Mr  de  Barras  que  nous  scavous  partir  de 
Rhode  Island  pour  se  joindre  a Mr  de  Grasse;  nous  ne 
pouvons  pas  etre  sans  inquiétudes  sur  le  sort  de  Mr  de 
Barras. 

le  13  nos  equipages  nous  ont  joint.  Un  homme  arrivé  de. 
la  Virginie,  nous  a assuré  que  Mr  de  Grasse  a appareillée  de 
la  baye  de  Chesapeack,  et  il  parle  d’un  combat  entre  la  flotte 
Françoise  et  la  flotte  Angloise,  je  n’y  ajoute  pas  foi. 

le  15.  Nous  avons  appris  que  les  Grenadiers  et  Chas- 
seurs embarqués  a Head  of  Elk,  ont  été  forcés  par  le  mau- 
vais te  ms  de  relâcher  a Annapolis 

Le  16  de  Septembre  nous  nous  sommes  remis  en  marche 
et  avons  été  camper  a Spurers  Tavern,  le  Baron  de  Vio- 
mesnil  a reçu  la,  une  lettre  * de  Mr  de  la  Villebrune  Capitaine 
du  vaisseau  le  Romulus  qui  lui  annonce  son  arrivée  a Annap- 
olis avec  tous  les  moyens  suffisans  pour  nous  embarquer  et 
pour  descendre  la  Baye  de  Chesapeack;  cette  nouvelle  a 
changé  les  projets  du  General,  il  a fait  assembler  les  Colonels 
pour  nous  communiquer  son  intention  de  marcher  a Annapolis 
et  de  nous  y embarquer  a bord  des  bâti  mens  destinés  a cet 
objet. 

le  17  Septembre  nous  avons  pris  la  route  D’Annapolis  et 
avons  été  camper  a Scots  Plantation. 


* cette  lettre  nous  donne  aussi  la  certitude  de  la  jonction  de  Mr  de 
Barras  avec  M1'  de  Grasse. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


47 


le  18  de  Septembre  nous  avons  marché  a Annapolis  ou 
nous  avons  trouvé  les  batimens  qui  nous  etoient  annonces,  on 
travaille  a force  a l’embarquement  et  j’espere  que  nous  pour- 
rons entrer  demain  au  soir  dans  nos  vaisseaux.* 

le  19  et  le  20  de  Septembre  ont  été  employés  a embarquer 
tout  l’attirail  de  notre  armée  et  nous  ne  sommes  entrés 
dans  nos  vaisseaux  que  dans  la  matinée  du  21.  Notre  petite 
escadre  est  composée  du  Romulus , des  fregattes  la  Gentille,  la 
diligente  l'aigrette,  Y Iris  et  le  Richmond,  (les  deux  dernieres 
viennent  d’etre  prises  sur  les  Anglois)  et  de  neuf  batimens  de 
transport,  le  tout,  formant  quinze  voiles  ; j’ai  été  embarqué 
sur  la  diligente  ou  j’ai  trouvé  Lord  Ratvclon,  le  Colonel  Doil 
et  le  Lieutenant  de  vaisseau  du  Roy  D’Angleterre  Clark, 
pris  sur  le  paquebot  la  Queen  Charlotte,  les  deux  derniers 
ont  leurs  femmes  a bord. 

A quatre  heures  après  midi  nous  avons  mis  a la  voile  par 
un  vent  frais  qui  s’est  parfaitement  soutenu, 

le  22  a quatre  heures  après  midi  nous  avons  découvert 


* Nous  avons  appris  a Annapolis  le  combat  que  Mr  le  Cte  de  Grasse 
a livré  le  5 de  Septembre  a l’escadre  Angloise  commandée  par  l’Amiral 
Graves;  les  Anglois  ont  paru  a hauteur  des  Caps,  Mr  de  Grasse  qui 
n’etoit  point  encore  joint  a Mr  de  Barras  et  qui  en  etoit  nécessaire- 
ment inquiet  ne  balança  pas  un  moment  a appareiller  pour  combattre 
l’ennemi,  il  coupa  ses  cables  et  fut  en  un  instant  sous  voiles,  les  enne- 
mis des  qu’ils  appercurent  le  dessein  du  General  François,  mirent  toutes 
voiles  dehors  pour  s’enfuir,  et  ne  purent  etre  joints  que  par  les  vais- 
seaux François  doublés  en  cuivre,  ce  combat  d’avant  garde  a arriéré 
garde  n’en  a pas  été  moins  vif  et  visiblement  des  avantageux  pour  les 
ennemis,  la  nuit  a séparé  les  combattans,  mais  Mr  de  Grasse  a con- 
tinué sa  chasse  pendant  toute  la  journée  du  6,  sept  il  l’a  abandonné 
par  la  crainte  que  le  vent  venant  a changer  ne  donnât  le  moyen  aux 
Anglois  d’entrer  dans  la  baye  de  Chesapeack,  il  en  reprit  la  route  et 
y trouva  l’escadre  de  Mr  de  Barras,  qui  s’y  etoit  introduite  pendant 
son  absence. 


48 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


les  vaisseaux  qui  bloquent  l’embouchure  de  la  riviere  D’York, 
a six  heures  nous  avons  apperçu  la  grande  flotte  et  a huit 
heures  nous  étions  mouillé  dans  la  baye  de  Lynchaven  au 
milieu  de  l’armée  navale. 

le  23  de  Septembre  a cinq  heures  du  matin  nous  avons 
remis  a la  voile  et  sommes  entrés  dans  la  riviere  de  James 
que  nous  allons  remonter. 

le  24  au  soir  nous  sommes  parvenus  a Hogs  Ferry , lieu 
de  notre  débarquement,  la  navigation  de  la  riviere  de  James 
est  très  pénible,  nous  avons  continuellement  été  obligés  d’avoir 
la  sonde  a la  main,  et  malgré  toutes  nos  precautions,  plu- 
sieurs batimens  ont  échoué  et  n’ont  été  relevés  que  par  le 
flot. 

le  25  de  Septembre  nos  troupes  ont  été  débarqués  et 
nous  avons  été  camper  a une  demie  mille  de  Hogs  ferri 

le  26  a quatre  hueres  du  soir  nous  nous  sommes  remis  en 
marche  et  avons  été  camper  a Williamsburg,  nous  avons 
appris  la,  que  le  Lord  Cornwallis  a envoyé  quelques  brûlots 
pour  détruire  les  vaisseaux  François  qui  le  bloquent,  mais 
ils  n’ont  eu  aucun  effet  que  celui  d’effrayer  beaucoup  une 
partie  des  equipages.  Lord  Cornwallis  travaille  a force  a 
se  retrancher  et  sous  peu  de  jours,  nous  marcherons  au  lieu 
de  l’attaque. 

le  28  de  Septembre  toute  l’armée  combinée  s’est  mise  en 
marche  de  Williams  burg,  pour  aller  camper  sous  la  ville 
D’York;  pendant  une  partié  du  chemin,  l’armée  a marchée 
sur  une  seule  colonne,  l’armée  Américaine  ayant  la  tete  de 
la  marche,  a quatre  milles  de  notre  destination  a une 
fourche  formée  par  deux  chemins  qui  conduisent  tous  deux 
a York,  la  Colonne  Américaine  a pris  le  chemin  de  la  droite 
et  la  colonne  Françoise  composée,  1°  des  voluntaires  aux 
ordres  du  Bon  de  S‘  Simon  frere  du  General  2d0  des  Grena- 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


49 


diers  et  chasseurs  des  sept  regiments  de  notre  armée  3°  do 
Brigades  D’Agenois,  Soisonnois  et  Bourbonnois,  marchant 
la  gauche  en  tete,  a pris  celui  de  la  gauche.  Nous  nous 
sommes  séparés  brigade  par  Brigade  a un  mille  de  la  place 
et  en  avons  formé  l'investiture,  a peine  la  Brigade  de  Bour- 
bonnois etoit  elle  arrivée  a la  place  qui  lui  est  destinée,  qu’ 
on  est  venu  nous  avertir  que  plusieurs  troupes  ennemies  pa- 
roissoient.  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau  donna  ordre  au  de 
Laval  de  prendre  les  piquets  et  l’Artillerie  de  la  Brigade 
pour  leur  donner  chasse  ; nous  nous  mimes  en  marche  et 
après  cinq  ou  six  coups  de  canons,  ces  petites  troupes  prirent 
la  fuite. 

Le  29  Septembre  le  Gal  Washington  avança  avec  l’armée 
Américaine  pour  serrer  son  investiture  ; le  corps  Anglois 
campé  en  avant  se  replia  sur  York,  les  Anglois  tirèrent  quel- 
ques coups  de  canon  qui  n’eurent  d’autre  effet  que  de 
blesser  un  seul  homme. 

Dans  la  nuit  du  29  au  30.  les  Anglois  dont  les  postes 
avancés  touchoient  aux  nôtres,  abandonnèrent  ces  postes 
et  evacuerent  deux  redoutes  du  coté  des  François  une 
redoute  du  coté  des  Américains  et  tous  les  postes  et 
petites  batteries  qu’ils  avoient  construits  pour  la  defense 
d’un  crique  que  j’aurois  cru  etre  pour  eux  de  la  plus 
grande  importance.  Je  suivis  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau 
dans  la  journée  qu’il  fit  pour  reconnaitre  ces  redoutes. 
Les  endroits  évacués  nous  permirent  de  voir  et  de  juger  de 
tout  le  terrain  qui  environne  la  ville  et  des  ouvrages  qui 
doivent  la  deffendre  ; et  il  me  semble  que  par  cette  raison, 
l’ennemi  eut  du  (quoique  par  elles  mêmes  ces  redoutes  ne 
soient  pas  d’une  grande  importance)  les  conserver  jusqu’à 
cequ’il  eut  été  forcé  de  les  abandonner.  Il  nous  eut  réduit 
a tâtonner  il  nous  auroit  tenu  dans  l’incertitude;  il  auroit 
7 


50 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


peut  etre  retarde  nos  ouvrages,  au  lieu  de  nous  laisser  maî- 
tres de  tous  les  abords  de  la  place  jusqu’  a la  distance  de 
trois  a quatre  ■cent  toises.  11  est  clair  que  les  approches 
sont  on  ne  peut  pas  plus  aisées,  du  convert  par  tout, 
quelques  petits  endroits  dominans,  et  les  ouvrages  peu  forts 
peu  considerables  par  eux  mêmes  et  a ce  qu’il  me  semble, 
trop  étendus,  formant  une  trop  grande  enceinte  pour  etre 
bien  deffendus.  Nous  avons  examiné  avec  soin  les  redoutes 
évacuées,  elles  sont  peu  solides,  des  parapets  de  peu  d’epais- 
seur,  un  terrain  sabloneux  qui  oblige  a les  etayer  de  peur 
qu’elles  ne  s’écoulent,  mais  des  abbatis  excellents  qui  n’ont 
d’autres  défauts  que  d’etre  de  bois  de  sapin  et  aisés  consé- 
quemment a mettre  en  feu.  J’ai  avancé  trois  cents  pas  plus 
près  de  la  ville,  j’ai  vu  un  ravin  quia  a peu  prés  25  pieds  de 
profondeur  qui  entoure  toute  la  place  et  donne  au  dessus  et 
au  dessous  de  la  ville,  dans  la  riviere  D’York,  ce  ravin  me 
paroit,  d’une  defense  excellente  et  je  ne  conçois  pas  com- 
ment les  ennemis  l’ont  abandonné.  Notre  General  fit  sur 
le  champ  occuper  les  deux  redoutes  évacuées,  l’une  par  les 
Grenadiers  de  Bourbonnois,  l’autre  par  cinquaute  chasseurs 
du  regiment  Ral  Deuxponts';  le  reste  du  Bataillon  de  Gdrs  et 
Chasseurs  de  la  Brigade  et  ses  piquets,  ont  été  placés  un 
peu  en  arriéré,  derrière  un  revers  qui  les  met  a l’abri  de  canon. 
Cette  reconnoissance  et  tous  ces  mouvements  n’ont  pu  se  faire 
sans  etre  apperçus  de  la  place  et  sans  nous  faire  tirer  du 
canon,  ils  nous  en  ont  ajusté  huit  ou  dix  coups,  mais  personne 
n’a  été  ni  tué  ni  blessé. 

Dans  la  même  matinée,  le  Vte  de  Viomesnil  voulant  recon- 
naître les  ouvrages  ennemis  en  avant  de  notre  gauche,  poussa 
les  volontaires  de  S4  Simon  en  avant  ; ils  se  rendirent  maitre 
du  bois  qui  couvre  ces  ouvrages  en  forçant  les  postes  An- 
glois  qui  le  gardoient  a se  replier  sur  une  redoute  qui  fit 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


51 


un  feu  asséz  vif  de  boulets  et  de  mitraille,  et  tua  un  Hous- 
sard,  cassa  le  bras  a un  autre  et  la  cuisse  a un  Officier  du 
regiment  D’Agenois.  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rockambeau  ordonna  au 
retour  de  cette  reconnoissance  que  le  camp  de  la  Brigade 
de  Bourbonnois  fut  changé,  nous  le  levâmes  dans  le  courant 
de  l’aprés  midi  et  l’avons  établi  dans  un  bois,  a un  demi 
mille  en  avant  de  notre  premiere  position. 

le  1er  D’Octobre  a la  pointe  du  jour  les  américains  com- 
mencèrent a travailler  a une  redoute  intermediaire  entre  les 
redoutes  évacuées  du  coté  des  François  et  celle  que  l’ennemi 
avoit  abandonné  du  coté  des  Américains.  Les  Anglois  ne 
tardèrent  pas  a s’en  appercevoir  et  ont  tiré  au  moins  trois 
cents  coups  de  canon  dans  le  courant  de  la  journée,  qui  n’ont 
tué  que  deux  hommes  et  n’ont  point  interrompu  le  travail. 

Dans  le  même  journée  j’ai  fait  ma  reconnoissance  particu- 
lière de  la  gauche  de  l’ennemi  et  je  n’y  ai  pas  trouvé  les  de- 
fenses plus  respectables  que  du  coté  que  j’ai  déjà  vu,  le  ter- 
rain y est  un  peu  plus  découvert  et  donne  plus  de  facilité  a 
l’assiégé  pour  diriger  des  coups  sur  les  travaux  de  l’as- 
siegeant,  mais  c’est  la  le  seul  avantage  que  ce  coté  la,  pro- 
cure a l’ennemi  ; je  me  suis  porté  jusques  contre  la  riviere 
D’York  et  j’ai  vu  tous  les  batimens  des  Anglois,  la  position 
de  Glocester  et  les  vaisseaux  François  qui  bloquent  la 
riviere. 

le  2 D’Octobre.  Les  Américains  continuent  leur  travail 
aux  redoutes,  les  Anglois  tirent  du  canon,  mais  toute  la  perte 
de  la  journée  n’a  été  que  d’un  seul  homme  tué. 

J’ai  fait  aujourd’hui  ma  reconnoissance  de  la  droite  des 
ennemis  et  je  juge  qu’  elle  est  de  toutes  les  parties  de  leur 
ligne  de  defense,  la  meilleure. 

Le  feu  que  les  ennemis  ont  fait  ces  deux  derniers  jours 
sur  la  redoutes  que  les  Américains  construisent,  a conside- 


52 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


rablement  diminué,  ils  ne  tirent  plus  que  de  teins  en  tems  un 
coup  de  canon. 

On  a entendu  dans  la  matinée  une  fusilade  asséz  vive  de 
l’autre  coté  de  la  riviere,  a prés  laquelle  on  a vu  revenir  la 
cavalerie  de  Tarleton  grand  train  et  en  desordre,  on  juge 
qu’elle  sera  sortie  des  lignes  de  Glocester  pour  attaquer  la 
legion  de  Lauzun,  et  nous  espérons  qu’elle  aura  été  repous- 
sée. 

Le  4 D’Octobre,  la  nouvelle  de  l’engagement  de  la  legion 
de  Lauzun  et  de  celle  de  Tarleton  est  vraie,  la  legion  de 
Lauzun  a reponssé  celle  de  Tarleton,  le  Duc  de  Lauzun  a 
chargé  a plusieurs  reprises  ; il  etoit  soutenu  par  Mr  de  Choisi 
qui  venoit  d’arriver  avec  huit  cents  hommes  des  garrisons 
des  vaisseaux. 

Nous  avons  aussi  reçu  ce  matin  la  nouvelle  certaine  qu’  a 
la  suitte  du  combat  naval  du  5 de  Septembre  ; le  vaisseau 
Anglois,  le  Terrible  de  74  canons  a été  si  maltraité  que  les 
ennemis  l’ont  fait  sauter  ; en  outre  le  London  le  Schrewsbury, 
le  Robuste  et  le  Prudent  sont  en  mauvais  état. 

Dans  la  nuit  du  4 au  5 Octobre  nous  avons  envoyé  de 
nos  redoutes  plus  de  patrouilles  qu’a  l’ordinaire  et  le  Vt0 
de  Viomesnil  Officier  Gal  de  jour,  leur  a ordonné  expressé- 
ment de  se  porter  jusques  sous  les  retranchemens  des  enne- 
mis : L’ordre  a été  parfaitement  eecuté,  presque  toutes  nos 
patrouilles  ont  tiré  leurs  coups  de  fusil  contre  les  ennemis 
et  il  paroit  que  cela  lui  a donné  de  l’inquietude,  car  il  a fait 
pendant  toute  la  nuit  un  feu  de  canon  considerable  et  soutenu. 
La  redoute  nouvelle  que  les  Américains  ont  construit  et 
celle  que  Anglois  avoient  évacué  qu’ils  ont  réparé,  sont 
toutes  deux  entièrement  achevées. 

La  nuit  du  5 au  6 s’est  passée  comme  la  précédente, 
mêmes  patrouilles  et  même  feu  de  canon. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  d’aMEKIQUE. 


53 


Le  6 Octobre,  tout  étant  préparé,  les  fascines,  gabions, 
claies  et  saucissons  faits,  l’artillerie  de  siege*  presque  entière- 
ment arrivée*  le  lieu  de  la  tranchée  bien  reconnu  ; le  General 
a donné  ordre  de  l’ouvrir  ce  même  soir. 

Les  regiments  de  Bourbonnois  et  de  Soisonnois  ont  reçu 
ordre  de  la  monter  et  deux  cents  cinquante  hommes  par 
chacun  des  quatre  regiments,  qui  ne  sont  pas  de  tranchée, 
(le  regiment  de  Tourraine  ayant  une  mission  particulière) 
sont  commandés  pour  le  travail.  Toutes  ces  troupes  ont  ete 
rendues  a la  queue  de  la  tranchée  a cinq  heures  du  soir,  et 
ALr  le  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  Officier  Gal  de  la  tranchée  a des 
le  moment  disposé  les  régiments  dans  les  places  ou  ils  doivent 
la  couvrir.  Les  Officiers  du  genie  ont  a la  nuit  close,  placé 
les  travailleurs  et  a huit  heures  du  soir  le  travail  a commencé. 
Les  Américains  qui  ont  la  droite  du  travail  et  de  l’attaque,  ont 
fait  pareille  disposition  ; le  travail  a été  très  bien  conduit 
et  dans  le  plus  grand  silence.  L’ennemi  a fort  peu  tiré.  La 
droite  de  l’attaque  commence  a la  riviere  D’York  à 200 
Toises  de  la  place  et  la  paralelle  s’étend  en  augmentant  de 
50  a 60  Toises  d’eloignement  jusques  près  de  la  redoute 
nouvellement  construite  par  les  Américains. 

Le  Regiment  de  Tourraine  est  détaché  de  l’armée  et  a une 
commission  particulière,  il  est  chargé  de  la  construction  et 
de  la  defense  d’une  batterie  de  huit  pieces  de  canon  et  de 
six  obusiers  et  mortiers  que  l’on  construit  a la  droite  des 
ennemis  et  qui  sert  de  fausse  attaque,  les  ennemis  ont  dirigé 
cette  nuit  leur  feu  sur  ce  travail,  un  Capitaine  d’artillerie  a 
eu  la  cuisse  fracassée,  un  Grenadier  a été  tué  et  six  autres 
ont  été  blessés. 


* Notre  artillerie  de  siege  etoit  embarqué  sur  les  batimens  qui 
sont  venus  avec  l’escadre  de  Mr  le  O de  Barras,  ou  l’a  débarqué  a 
sept  milles  D’York. 


54 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


le  7 D’Octobre,  le  regiment  D’Agenois  et  le  regiment  de 
Saint  Onge  ont  relevé  la  tranchée  a Midi,  elle  est  asséz 
avancée  pour  pouvoir  déjà  y placer  les  premiers  Bataillons 
des  regiments  de  tranchée,  les  seconds  Bataillons  sont 
placés  dans  les  ravins  en  arriéré,  mais  a portée  de  venir 
au  premier  mouvement  des  ennemis,  soutenir  leurs  premiers 
Bataillons. 

le  8 D’Octobre:  les  regiments  de  Gatinois  et  de  Royal 
Deuxponts  ont  monté  la  tranchée,  on  travaille  a force  aux  bat- 
teries, qui  me  paroissent  parfaitement  disposées  et  j’espere 
qu’  incessamment  nous  verrons  l’effet. 

le  9 Octobre  les  regiments  de  Bourbonnois  et  de  Soison- 
nois  ont  relevé  la  tranchée  ; a quatre  heures  du  soir  une  bat- 
terie américaine  de  deux  mortiers  et  huit  pieces  de  canon 
de  dix  huit  et  vingt  quatre  a commencée  a tirer,  et  la  batterie 
du  regiment  de  Tourraine  a aussi  commencée  son  feu. 

Le  10  Octobre  une  des  batteries  du  notre  front  d’attaque 
composée  de  quatre  pieces  de  24  huit  pieces  de  seize  quatre 
mortiers  et  deux  obusiers  a été  démasquée  et  on  l’a  fait  jouer  ; 
la  supériorité  du  feu  de  ces  differentes  batteries  sur  celles  de 
l’ennemi  a fait  taire  le  feu  de  la  place  ; tous  nos  feux  ont  été  très 
bien  dirigés,  on  peut  remarquer  plusieurs  parapets  déjà  écretés 
et  nous  scavons  par  le  rapport  de  plusieurs  déserteurs  que 
les  ennemis  ont  été  fort  étonnés  de  l’onverture  de  nos  bat- 
teries ; et  que  nos  bombes  surtout  [les]  inquiètent  beaucoup. 
A peine  tirent  ils  a present  six  coups  de  canon  par  heure, 
tandis  que  jusques  la,  ils  avoient  fait  un  feu  asséz  soutenu 
et  asséz  bien  dirigé  ; nous  n’avons  pas  cependant  encore  a 
nous  plaindre  de  la  quantité  d’hommes  tués  et  blessés.  La 
tranchée  a été  montée  aujourd’hui  par  les  regiments  D’Age- 
nois et  de  Saint  Onge. 

L’ennemi  voulant  ce  matin  faire  une  tentative  sur  Mr  de 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


55 


Choisi,  a fait  remonter  la  riviere  a plusieurs  bateaux  plats 
remplis  de  troupes,  mais  Mr  de  Choisi  instruit  du  projet  a 
fait  amener  du  canon  et  les  a forcé  a s’éloigner. 

Le  11  Octobre  les  regiments  de  Gatinois  de  Royal  Deux- 
ponts  ont  relevé  la  tranché  et  dans  la  même  nuit,  nous  avons 
construit  notre  seconde  paralelle  a la  petite  portée  du  fusil 
de  la  place,  nous  attendre  a une  sortie  vigoureuse  ; on  com- 
manda en  consequence  quelques  Compagnies  auxiliaires  de 
Grenadiers  et  chasseurs,  et  Monsieur  le  Chevalier  de  Chaste- 
lux  Officier  General  de  tranchée,  disposa  toutes  les 
troupes  de  maniéré  a recevoir  l’ennemi  de  la  façon  la  plus 
avantageuse.  A huit  heures  du  soir,  on  commença  le  travail 
a dix  heures  nous  entendimes  une  vingtaine  de  coups  de 
fusil  ; tout  le  monde  crut  que  c’etoit  le  commencement  d’une 
attaque  ; mais  ce  n’etoit  qu’  une  patrouille  Angloise,  il 
y eut  plusieurs  petites  fusiliades  de  ce  genre  pendant  la  nuit 
et  c’est  a quoi  se  bornèrent  toutes  les  tentatives  extérieures 
de  l’ennemi  ; du  reste  il  tira  beaucoup  de  coups  de  canon, 
de  bombes  et  d’obusiers,  mais  le  feu  de  notre  artillerie  garda 
cependant  sa  supériorité  et  celui  de  l’ennemi  eut  très  peu 
d’effet.  A la  pointe  du  jour  nos  travailleurs  etoient  assés 
profondément  enterrés  pour  n’avoir  plus  de  grands  risques 
a courir. 

La  crainte  que  le  feu  de  nos  batteries  peu  elevés  au  dessus 
des  tetes  des  travailleurs,  ne  causât  des  accidens,  fit  donner 
ordre  a notre  Artillerie  de  le  suspendre  ; l’ennemi  profita  de 
ce  moment  de  silence  pour  faire  le  feu  le  plus  vif  sur  nos 
ouvrages  ; l’on  rétracta  alors  l’ordre  et  l’on  rendit  a nos 
batteries  la  liberté  de  tirer.  Une  demie  heure  après  que 
notre  feu  fut  en  train,  celui  des  ennemis  diminua,  et  lorsque 
nous  descendîmes  la  tranchée,  il  etoit  réduit  a cequ’  il  est 
ordinairement. 


56 


MBS  CAMPAGNES  D ’AMERIQUE. 


le  12  Octobre  les  regiments  de  Bourbonnois  et  de  Soison- 
nois  ont  relevé  la  tranchée. 

le  13.  les  Regiments  D’Àgenois  et  de  Saint  Onge  ont  mouté 
la  tranchée;  l’emplacement  de  toutes  le  batteries  de  la 
seconde  paralelle  est  marqué,  et  dans  deux  jours  elles  pour- 
ront jouer.  Deux  redoutes  ennemies  interrompent  entière- 
ment la  suitte  de  notre  seconde  paralelle,  qui  doit  néces- 
sairement etre  continuée  jusqu’à  la  riviere  D’York,  tant 
que  ces  deux  ouvrages  appartiendront  a l’ennemi,  elle  sera 
imparfaite  et  nous  espérons  tous  qu’ils  seront  incessamment 
attaqués. 

Le  14  Octobre  les  regiments  de  Gatinois  et  de  Ral  Deux- 
ponts  ont  relevé  la  tranchée  ; a l’assemblée  du  regiment  de 
Ral  Deuxponts  pour  la  monter  ; le  Bon  de  Viomesnil  m’or- 
donna de  venir  le  trouver  a notre  arrivée  a la  queue  de  la 
tranchée;  j’executai  ses  ordres;  il  sépara  les  Grenadiers 
et  chasseurs  des  deux  regiments  de  tranchée  et  me  donna 
le  Commandement  du  Bataillon  qu’il  venoit  d’en  formel*,  en 
me  disant  qu’il  croyoit  me  donner  par  la,  une  preuve  de  son 
estime  et  de  sa  confiance,  ses  paroles  n’etoient  point  un  enigme 
pour  moi,  je  ne  pris  point  le  change  sur  l’objet  auquel  il  me 
destinoit,  un  moment  après  il  confirma  mon  opinion  en  me 
distant  que  je  ferois  dans  le  courant  de  la  nuit  l’attaque 
d’une  des  redoutes  qui  empechoient  la  continuation  de  notre 
seconde  paralelle,  il  me  donna  l’ordre  de  placer  mon  bataillon 
a couvert,  et  d’attendre  qu’il  m’envoyât  chercher  pour  faire 
avec  lui  la  reconnoissance  de  la  redoute  ; il  m’y  mena  dans 
le  courant  de  l’aprés  midi,  avec  Mr  le  Baron  de  Lestrade, 
lieutenant  Colonel  du  regiment  de  Gatinois,  qu’il  m’avoit 
donné  pour  second,  et  deux  sergents  des  Grenadiers  et  chas- 
seurs de  ce  regiment,  hommes  aussi  braves  qu’intelligents  et 
qui  furent  chargés  particulièrement  de  reconnaitre  avec  la 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


57 


derniere  exactitude;  le  chemin  que  nous  aurions  a tenir  pen- 
dant la  nuit.  Nous  examinâmes  avec  le  plus  grand  soin, 
l’objet  de  l’attaques  et  tous  ses  details,  le  Gal  nous  expliqua 
bien  clairement  ses  intentions.  Mr  de  l’estrade  par  son 
experience  et  la  connoissance  parfaite  qu’il  a,  de  la  conduite 
a tenir  dans  de  pareilles  circonstances,  auroit  d’ailleurs 
supplée  aux  fautes  que  j’aurois  pu  commettre,  et  le  General 
m’ordonna  ensuite  d’aller  former  mon  bataillon  et  de  le 
conduire  dans  le  lieu  de  la  tranchée  le  plus  voisin  de  celui 
dont  nous  devions  en  déboucher  j’assemblai  les  Capitaines 
de  mon  bataillon,  et  leur  déclarai  la  comission  dont  on 
nous  honoroit,  je  n’avois  point  a animer  leur  courage  ni 
celui  des  troupes  que  je  commandois  mais  je  devois  leur  faire 
connaître  la  volonté  du  General  et  l’ordre  exact  dans  lequel 
nous  devions  marcher  a l’ennemi. 

Nous  nous  mimes  ensuite  en  marche  pour  entrer  dans  la 
tranchée,  nous  passâmes  devant  beaucoup  de  troupes,  soit  de 
tranchée,  de  travailleurs  ou  de  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs, 
auxiliaires  tout  le  monde  me  souhaita  du  succès,  de  la  gloire, 
et  me  témoigna  des  regrets  de  ne  pouvoir  pas  m’accom- 
pagner, ce  moment  me  parut  bien  doux,  bien  propre  a elever 
l’ame  et  a animer  le  courage  : Mon  frere,  Mon  frere  surtout 
et  je  ne  l’oublierai  jamais,  me  donna  des  marques  d’une  ten- 
dresse qui  me  pénétra  jusqu’au  fonds  du  coeur;  j’arrivai  a 
l’endroit  que  le  Bon  de  Viomesnil  m’avoit  indiqué,  j’y  attendis 
la  nuit  close  ; et  peu  de  tems  après  qu’elle  fut  fermée,  le 
Gal  me  fit  sortir  de  la  tranchée  et  m’ordonna  de  ranger  ma 
colonne  dans  l’ordre  de  l’attaque,  il  m’instruisit  du  signal 
de  six  bombes  consecutives  tirées  d’une  de  nos  batteries,  au 
quel  je  devois  me  porter  en  avant;  et  j’attendis  dans  cette 
position  le  signal  convenu. 

Les  chasseurs  du  regiment  de  Gatinois  avoient  la  tête  de 
8 


58 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


ma  colonne,  ils  etoient  en  colonne  par  pelotons,  les  cinquante 
premiers  portoient  des  fascines,  sur  les  cinquante  autres  il  y 
en  avoit  huit  qui  portoient  des  echelles,  venoient  ensuite  les 
Grenadiers  de  Gatinois  rangés  par  files  puis  les  Grenadiers 
et  Chasseurs  du  reg*  de  RiU  Deuxponts,  en  colonne  par  sec- 
tions ; le  tout  etoit  précédé  des  deux  sergents  de  Gatinois 
dont  j’ai  déjà  parlé  et  de  huit  charpentiers,  quatre  du  regi- 
ment de  Gatinois  et  quatre  de  celui  de  Ral  Deuxponts;  les 
chasseurs  des  regiments  de  Bourbonnois  et  D’Agenois,  etoient 
a cent  pas  derrière  mon  bataillon  et  destinés  a me  sontenir, 
et  le  second  Bataillon  du  regiment  de  Gatinois  commandé 
par  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rostaing  terminoit  ma  reserve.  J’avois 
deffendu  avant  de  me  mettre  en  marche  que  personne  ne 
tirât  avant  d’etre  arrivé  sur  la  crete  du  parapet  de  la  redoute 
et  qu’établi  sur  le  parapet  personne  ne  sautat  dans  le  re- 
tranchement avant  d’en  avoir  reçu  l’ordre. 

L’attaque  des  troupes  Françoises  etoit  combinée  avec 
celle  que  les  troupes  américaines  faisoient  a ma  droite  d’une 
redoute  qui  etoit  appuyée  a la  riviere  D’York,  cette  redoute 
etoit  de  la  même  importance  par  l’obstacle  qu’elle  apportoit 
a la  continuation  de  la  seconde  paralelle  : le  Mis  de  la 
Fayette  commandoit  cette  attaque  qui  devoit  se  faire  a la 
même  heure  et  commencer  au  même  signal  que  la  notre. 

Les  six  bombes  furent  enfin  tirés  et  je  me  mis  en  marche 
dans  le  plus  grand  silence  ; a cent  vingt  ou  cent  trente  pas, 
nous  fumes  découverts  et  le  soldat  ïïessois  que  etoit  en  sen- 
tinelle sur  le  parapet  nous  cria  un  Werda * auquel  nous  ne 
repondimes  rien  et  doublâmes  le  pas;  l’ennemi  commença 

* Les  Officiers  Anglois  pris  dans  la  redoute,  m'out  dit  depuis,  que 
le  moment  ou  nous  fumes  découverts  fut  saisi  par  le  Commandant 
Anglois,  nommé  Makferson  et  par  une  trentaine  d’hommes  pour  se 
sauver  honteusement 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


59 


son  feu  l’instant  d’après  le  Werda;  nous  ne  perdîmes  pas 
un  moment  pour  arriver  aux  abattis  qui  forts,  bien  conservés  et 
a vingt  cinq  pas  de  la  redoute,  nous  coûtèrent  du  monde  nous 
arrêtèrent  pendant  quelques  minutes,  mais  furent  franchis 
avec  une  resolution  parfaite,  nous  nous  précipitâmes  ensuite 
dans  le  fossé  et  chacun  chercha  a se  faire  jour  au  travers 
des  fraises  et  a monter  sur  le  parapet*  nous  y arrivâmes 
d'abord  en  petit  nombre,  et  je  fis  commencer  a tirer  ; l’ennemi 
faisoit  un  feu  très  vif  nous  chargeoit  même  a coups  de 
bayonette,  mais  ne  fit  reculer  personne.  Les  Charpentiers 
qui  avoient  vigoureusement  travaillé  de  leur  coté,  avoient 
fait  des  breches  aux  pallisades  qui  facilitoient  la  montée  au 
gros  de  nos  troupes,  le  parapet  se  garnissoit  a vue  d’oeil, 
notre  feu  augmentoit  et  faisoit  un  effet  terrible  sur  l’ennemi 
qui  s’etoit  placé  derrière  une  espece  de  retranchement  de  ton- 
neaux, ou  il  etoit  bien  rassemblé  et  ou  tous  nos  coups  por- 
toient.  Nous  étions  parvenus  au  moment  ou  je  voulois 
ordonner  de  sauter  dans  la  redoute  et  de  charger  l’ennemi 
a la  bayonette,  l’orsqu’il  mit  bar  les  armes  ; et  nous  y sau- 
tâmes pour  lors  avec  plus  de  tranquillité  et  moins  de  risques  ; 
j’entonnai  sur  le  champ  le  cri  de  vive  le  Roy  qui  fut  répété 
par  tous  les  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  bien  portants,  par 
toutes  les  troupes  de  la  tranchée  et  au  quel  l’ennemi  répondit 
par  une  salve  Generale  d’Artillerie  et  de  coups  de  fusil  ; 
jamais  je  ne  vis  un  spectacle  plus  beau  et  plus  majestueux.  Je 
ne  m’y  arrêtai  pas  pend1  long  tems,  j’avois  mes  soins  a donner 
aux  blessés,  l’ordre  a faire  observer  parmi  les  prisonniers 


* cela  n’etoit  pas  chose  aisée  je  n’ai  pu  y parvenir  sans  etre  aidé  ; 
j’etois  retombé  dans  le  fossé  après  une  premiere  tentative;  M>  de 
Sillegue  jeune  officier  des  chasseurs  de  Gatinois  qui  m’avoit  devancé, 
apperçut  mon  embarras  et  me  donna  son  bras  pour  m’aider  a monter, 
il  reçut  presque  au  même  instant  un  coup  de  fusil  dans  la  cuisse 


60 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


et  Mr  le  Bon  de  Yiomesnil  vint  au  même  instant  me  donner 
celui  de  me  préparer  a faire  une  vigoureuse  defense  il  eut 
été  important  pour  l’ennemi  de  chercher  a reprendre  ce 
poste,  un  ennemi  nerveux  n’y  eut  pas  manqué  et  le  Bon  de 
Yiomesnil  jugeoit  le  General  Anglois  d’après  lui  même.  Je 
lis  mes  dispositions  de  mon  mieux,  l’ennemi  faisoit  pleuvoir 
des  boulets  sur  nous,  je  ne  doutois  pas  que  l’idée  du  Bon  de 
Yiomesnil  ne  se  vérifiât;  enfin  l’orsque  tout  fut  fini;  un  sen- 
tinelle chargé  d’observer  les  mouvement  du  dehors,  m’appella 
et  me  dit  qu’il  paroissoit  des  ennemis  ; j’avançai  ma  tête  sur 
le  parapet  et  au  même  instant  un  boulet  qui  ricocha  dans 
le  parapet  et  passa  très  prés  de  ma  tete,  me  couvrit  le  visage 
de  sable  et  de  petit  gravier  ; je  souffrois  beaucoup,  et  je  fus 
obligé  de  quitter  la  place  et  de  me  faire  conduire  a l'hôpital 
ambulant. 

Cinquante  six  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  du  regiment  de 
Gatinois,  vingt  et  un  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  de  Ral  Deux- 
ponts  six  chasseurs  d’Agenois  et  neuf  soldats  du  20nd  Bataillon 
de  Gatinois  ont  été  tués  on  blessés  a cette  attaque  qui  n’a 
durée  que  sept  minutes.  En  outre  Mr  de  Berthelot  Capitaine 
en  second  du  reg4  de  Gatinois  a été  tué,  Mr  de  Sireuil  Capi- 
taine des  chasseurs  decereg4  a en  une  jambe  fracassée*;  et 
Mr  de  Sillegue  sous  lieutenant  de  chasseurs  a eu  une  cuisse 
percée.  Le  Chor  de  La  Meth  a reçu  deux  coups  de  fusil  l’un 
lui  casse  une  * rotule  et  l’autre,  lui  perce  l’autre  cuisse  ; il 
etoit  venu  a cette  attaque  comme  volontaire  ainsi  que  le  Cte 
de  Damas,  j’avois  cherché  a les  en  empecher,  mais  ils  n’ecou- 
tent  ni  l’un  ni  l’autre  des  representations  qui  les  eloignent 
de  la  gloire.  Le  Cte  de  Yauban  etoit  aussi  a mon  attaque 


* Mr  de  Sireuil  est  mort  quarante  jours  après,  des  suittes  de  sa  bles- 


sure. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D AMERIQUE. 


61 


et  etoit  chargé  par  Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau  de  s’y  trouver 
pour  lui  rendre  compte  de  l’evenement. 

Avec  des  troupes  aussi  bonnes,  aussi  braves,  et  aussi 
disciplinées  que  celles  que  j’ai  eu  l'honneur  de  conduire  a 
l’ennemi,  on  peut  tout  entreprendre,  et  etre  sim  de  réussir 
si  l’impossibilité  n’en  est  pas  prouvée  ; je  leur  dois  le  plus 
beau  jour  de  ma  vie,  et  le  souvenir  ne  s’en  effacera  certain- 
ment  jamais  de  ma  mémoire  ; puissai-je  en  pareilles  circon- 
stances me  retrouver  encore  avec  elles  ; et  puissai-je  surtout 
après  avoir  encore  été  heureux  par  elles,  leur  donner  des 
preuves,  plus  réelles  et  plus  vraies,  de  mon  zélé  et  de  mon 
ardeur  a les  servir. 

Dans  le  courant  de  cette  nuit  la  seconde  parai  elle  a été 
continuée,  elle  traverse  la  redoute  prise  par  les  François  et 
aboutit  a la  redoute  prise  par  les  Américains  dont  l’attaque 
a eu  le  même  succès  que  la  notre. 

La  journée  du  15  Octobre  a été  employée  a perfectionner 
la  second  paralelle.  Dans  la  nuit  du  15  au  16,  l’ennemi  a 
fait  une  sortie  ; la  tranchée  n’  etoit  pas  gardée  avec  toutes 
les  precautions  desirables,  beaucoup  de  monde  dormoit,  peu 
de  sentinelles,  un  piquet  qui  ne  se  mefioit  de  rien,  des  batteries 
ou  il  n’y  avoit  personne  ; Enfin  l’ennemi  est  parvenu  a en- 
clouer  quatre  pieces  de  canon  d’une  batterie  Françoise  et 
deux  d’une  batterie  américaine,  on  a marché  aussitôt  a 
l’ennemi  mais  sa  retraite  etoit  déjà  faite  et  on  n’a  pas  pu 
l’atteindre.  Les  pieces  de  canon  enclouées,  ont  été  dégor- 
gées dans  la  matinée  du  16;  presque  toutes  nos  batteries 
seront  établies  et  prêtes  a jouer  demain. 

Le  1 7 Octobre  on  a commencé  a tirer  a ricochet  avec  tant 
de  succès  qu’une  grande  partié  des  fraises  des  ouvrages 
de  la  place,  ont  été  abbatues  et  dans  plusieurs  endroits,  des 
breches  ont  été  commencées,  a Dix  heures  du  matin  Lord 


62 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


Cornwallis  a envoyé  un  parlementaire  au  General  Washing- 
ton pour  decider  du  sort  des  garnisons  de  York  et  Glocester 
et  demander  une  suspension  d’armes  ; on  a dés  le  même 
moment  commencé  a travailler  a la  capitulation,  mais  on  a 
continué  a tirer  jusqu’à  quatre  heures  ; qu’a  la  sollicitation 
d’un  nouveau  Parlementaire,  le  feu  a cessé  de  part  et  d’autre, 
les  négociations  s’entament  on  assure  même  que  les  princi- 
paux articles  en  sont  déjà  réglés. 

Le  18  Octobre,  le  travail  de  la  capitulation  a continué,  il 
est  dit  on  suiwenu  quelques  petites  discussions  qui  en  ont 
retardé  la  conclusion,  mais  elle  a été  definitivement  terminée 
le  soir. 

le  19  Octobre  a neuf  heures  du  matin  la  capitulation  a été 
signée  et  a quatre  heures  après  midi,  l’armée  Angloise  pris- 
onniers de  guerre  composée,  du  1er  Bataillon  des  gardes  du 
Roy  D’Angleterre,  du  17ieme  23'°™  33ieme  et  43ieme  regiments 
d’infanterie  du  7lu“e  76ieme  et  80ieme  regiments  de  Monta- 
guards  Ecossois,  Des  regiments  Hessois,  du  Prince  hérédi- 
taire et  de  Boos,  des  regiment  D’Anspach  et  Bareuth,  de  la 
Light  Infanterie,  de  la  British  Legion  et  des  Queens  Ranger 
a defilée  devant  les  armées  Françoise  et  Américaine  rangées 
en  Bataille,  l’une  vis  a vis  de  l’autre  ; l’armée  prisonnière  a 
mis  ensuite  les  armes  bas  et  est  rentrée  sans  armes  dans  la 
ville  D'York.  Les  Regiments  de  Bourbonnois  et  de  Royal 
Deuxponts,  qui  montoient  la  tranchée  l’orsque  les  négocia- 
tions ont  commencées,  n’ont  été  relevées  qu’aprés  la  cere- 
monie. 

Le  nombre  des  ennemis  prisonniers  tant  de  troupes  de 
terre  que  matelots,  passe  8000  ; deux  cents  quatorze  pieces 
de  canon,  dont  74  en  Bronze  sont  tombées  entre  nos  mains. 

le  21  D’Octobre,  les  differens  regiments  prisonniers,  sont 
sortis  regiments  par  regiments  de  la  ville  D’York  pour  etre 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’aMEKIQUE. 


63 


conduits  a leurs  differentes  destinations,  soit  en  Virginie 
Maryland,  ou  dans  la  Pensilvanie. 

Les  Ordres  ont  été  donnés  aux  Aides  Maréchaux  Generaux 
des  logis  de  l’armée,  pour  aller  faire  les  logemens  de  l’armée 
Françoise  qui  doit  incessamment  prendre  ses  quartiers 
D’Hyver  et  occuper  les  villes  de  Williamsburg,  Hampton, 
York  et  Glocester. 

Mr  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau  a bien  voulu  m’annoncer  qu'il  me 
destinoit  a porter  en  France  le  Duplicata  de  la  nouvelle  de 
la  prise  du  Lord  Cornwallis,  et  m’a  donné  l’ordre  de  me 
tenir  prêt  a m’embarquer  au  premier  jour. 

le  24  Octobre,  après  avoir  pris  les  ordres  de  Mr  le  Cte 
de  Rochambeau,  et  reçu  les  paquets  qu’il  me  confioit,  je  me 
suis  embarqué  a York  pour  aller  a l’armée  navale  et  prendre 
les  ordres  de  Mr  le  Comte  de  Grasse,  j'ai  couché  a bord  de 
la  Ville  de  Paris  et  le  25,  Mrs  de  Damas,  de  Laval,  de  Charlus 
et  moi,  nous  sommes  embarqués  a bord  de  La  fregatte 
L’Andromaque  sur  la  quelle  nous  devons  partir  pour  la 
France. 

le  26  nous  avons  été  retenus  par  les  vents;  le  27  a deux 
heures  après  midi  nous  avons  appareillé  par  un  bon  vent 
frais.  Après  avoir  passé  les  bancs  de*  Middle  Ground,  au 
moment  ou  nous  allions  nous  trouver  a la  hauteur  du  Cap 
Henri,  nous  avons  vus,  en  avant  de  nous  la  fregatte  la  Con- 
corde faisant  des  signaux,  en  repetition  de  ceux  de  la  fregatte 
L’Heimione,  qui  croisoit  entre  les  Caps  Charles  et  Henri, 
pour  avertir  l’armée  de  ce  qui  se  passoit  au  dehors  ; l’Her- 
mione  signala  une  escadre  et  le  signal  numeraire  etoit  de 


* Mr  le  Cte  de  Grasse  [qui  avoit]  mouillé  dans  les  commencemens 
de  sa  station  dans  la  Baye  de  Lincliaven,  avoit  quitté  cette  position  et 
avoit  jetté  l’ancre  derrière  les  bancs  de  Middle  Ground 


64 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


quarante  quatre  voiles,  il  n’j  avoit  pas  a douter  que  ce  ne 
fussent  les  ennemis,  qu’on  nous  avoit  déjà  annoncés  trois 
jours  auparavant,  il  nous  etoit  impossible  de  continuer  notre 
route,  et  nous  virâmes  de  bord  pour  entrer  dans  la  riviere 
de  James. 

le  28  Octobre,  les  ennemis  continuent  de  croiser  a notre 
vue,  et  nous  apprenons  qu’ils  amènent  sis  mille  hommes  de 
troupes  de  terre  au  secours  du  Lord  Cornwallis,  j’imagine 
qu’ils  seront  bientôt  instruits  de  sa  reddition  et  qu’ils 
renonceront  a attaquer  avec  vingt  huit  de  leurs  vais- 
seaux trente  six  vaisseaux  François.  Notre  position  dans 
la  riviere  de  James,  n’etant  pas  très  bonne,  nous  avons  ap- 
pareillé aujourd’hui  a midi  pour  retourner  a la  grande  escadre, 
dont  nous  attendrons  la  sortie  pour  nous  mettre  en  route. 

le  29  L’Escadre  Angloise  reste  toujours  a notre  vue,  et 
nous  attendons  avec  impatience  que  Mr  le  Cte  de  Grasse 
fasse  le  signal  d’appareiller;  nous  avons  été  aujourd’hui  a 
son  bord,  il  est  très  souffrant- d’un  etouffement  considerable; 
nous  y avons  appris  que  les  raisons  du  retard  qu’il  met  dans 
sa  sortie,  sont  l’embarquement  des  troupes  de  la  division  de 
Mr  de  S1  Simon  il  attend  en  outre  quatre  cent  boeufs  pour 
l’approvisionnement  de  l’armée  navale,  et  ne  voulant  plus 
rentrer  dans  la  baye  de  Chesapeack,  il  est  obligé  d’attendre 
que  ses  vaisseaux  soient  entièrement  prêts. 

le  30  Octobre,  on  n’a  pas  eu  connoissance  de  l’ennemi  ce 
matin. 

Le  1er  de  Novembre  l’ennemi  n’ayant  point  paru  depuis 
deux  jours  ; Mr  le  Cte  de  Grasse  envoya  un  enseigne  de 
vaisseau  a bord  de  L’Andromaque  pour  nous  souhaiter  un 
bon  voyage,  et  permettre  a notre  Capitaine,  M1'  de  Ravenel 
de  mettre  a la  voile.  Nous  avons  appareillé  a onze  heures, 
nous  avons  doublé  le  Cap  Henri  a deux  heures  et  avons 


MES  CAMPAGNES  d’aMEKIQUE. 


65 


ensuite  porté  le  Cap  a L’Est,  l’Hemione  nous  a escorté 
jusqu’  a la  nuit. 

le  2 de  Novembre  a sept  heures  et  demi[e]  du  matin  nous 
avons  apperçu  une  voile  dans  le  plus  grand  eloignement  et 
qui  sur  le  champ  nous  a donné  chasse.  Les  ordres  de  Mr  le 
Cte  de  Grasse  pour  éviter  tout  combat,  etoient  précis  et 
clairs,  aussi  avons  nous  mis  toute  voile  dehors  pour  nous  en 
aller.  Le  batiment  chasseur  marchoit  mieux  que  nous,  qui 
ne  marchons  pas  bien,  et  si  le  jour  avoit  encore  duré  deux 
heures,  nous  étions  joints  ; nous  avons  fait  fausse  route  pen- 
dant la  nuit,  et  le  Lendemain  nous  n’avons  rien  apperçu. 

Depuis  le  2 de  Novembre  jusqu’au  20,  jour  de  notre  arrivée 
en  France,  nous  avons  toujours  été  en  bonne  route,  des  vents 
frais  et  forcés  nous  ont  fait  faire  plus  de  chemin  que  nous 
ne  pouvions  l’esperer  de  la  marche  de  notre  fregatte,  la 
traversée  a été  dime,  nous  avons  essuyé  des  coups  de  vent, 
mais  ils  secondoient  nos  voeux  et  remplissoient  notre  objet. 
Après  dix  neuf  jours  de  navigation,  nous  avons  revu  les  côtes 
de  France  et  le  24  de  Novembre  j’ai  joui  a Versailles  du 
bonheur  inexprimable  d’embrasser  les  êtres  qui  me  sont 
le  plus  chers. 

La  vie  de  l’homme  est  melée  de  peines,  mais  on  ne  peut 
plus  s’en  plaindre  quand  on  a joui  des  moments  délicieux 
qui  en  sont  le  prix,  un  seul  instant  les  fait  oublier,  et  cet 
instant  bien  senti  en  fait  même  desirer  de  nouvelles,  pour 
jouir  encore  une  fois  de  leur  recompense 


9 


FIN 


66 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


Lettre  que  M.  le  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  Commandant  Gen- 
eral de  l’attaque  des  deux  redoutes,  m’a  écrit  en  m’envoyant 
le  comte  qu’il  rendoit  des  ces  attaques  a M.  le  Comte  de 
Rochambeau. 


Au  Camp  devant  York  le  16  Octobre  1781 

Vous  avéz  eu  trop  de  part  Monsieur  le  Comte  au  succès 
qui  doit  accélérer  le  capitulation  de  Lord  Cornwallis,  pour 
que  je  ne  me  fasse  pas  un  devoir  de  vous  addresser  ci-joint 
la  copie  du  compte  que  j’ai  rendu  a M.  le  Cte  de  Rochambeau 
des  événements  de  la  tranchée  du  quatorze  au  quinze.  Si  je 
me  suis  trompé  sur  quelques  uns  des  objets  que  vous  avéz  pu 
voir  avant  moi  ; vous  me  feréz  grand  plaisir  de  me  le  mander, 
afin  que  je  puisse  redresser  mes  erreurs  ; Je  desire  bien 
vivement  que  les  grades  que  j’ai  demandé  pour  vous  et 
M.  de  L’Estrade,  votre  Compagnon  de  gloire,  soient  accordés  ; 
j’y  crois  le  bien  du  service  intéressé,  les  événements  de  ce 
genre  sont  si  rares,  le  service  que  vous  avéz  rendu  a été 
si  utile,  et  la  distinction  et  la  vigueur  de  votre  conduite 
sont  si  connus  de  toute  l’armée,  que  je  ne  pense  pas  qu’il 
existe  un  seul  François  qui  puisse  desapprouver  que  vous 
soyéz  fait  Brigadier. 

Pour  moi  Monsieur  le  Comte,  je  suis  trop  heureux  d’avoir 
pu  trouver  cette  occasion  de  vous  prouver  mon  opinion  et 
ma  confiance,  je  désire  que  cela  puisse  vous  engager  a m’ac- 
corder de  l’amitié  et  a continuer  de  faire  quelque  cas  des 
sentimens  du  tendre  et  fidele  attachement  avec  lequel  j’ai 
l’honneur  d’etre  &c. 


YIOMESNIL. 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


67 


Compte  rendu  par  M.  le  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  a M.  le  Cte 
de  Rochambeau,  de  l’attaque  des  Redoutes  d’York  Town. 

a la  tranchée  du  14  au  15  D’Octobre  1783  [sic] 
Mon  General — 

Le  General  Washington  ayant  approuvé  hier  au  soil’  dans 
le  tranchée,  les  dispositions,  que  j’avois  faits  et  mes  instruc- 
tions données  au  Mis  de  la  Fayette  au  General  Stubens, 
ainsi  qu’a  M.M.  des  Deuxponts,  de  L’Estrade  et  de  Rostaing 
pour  l’attaque  des  deux  redoutes  de  la  gauche  des  ennemis, 
que  vous  m’aviéz  prescrit  d’enlever  ; je  revins  a la  colonne 
d’attaque  que  je  m’etois  proposé  de  conduire  moi  même,  et 
après  avoir  donné  au  Comte  de  Custine,  les  renseignemens 
et  les  ordres  necessaires  sur  l’emploi  des  troupes  qui  dévoient 
rester  dans  la  tranchée  ; nous  débouchâmes  au  signal  convenu 
avec  beaucoup  d’ordre  et  de  silence.  Les  deux  redoutes 
furent  attaquées  et  enlevées  presqu’en  même  tems.  Le  Mar- 
quis de  la  Fayette  s’est  conduit  a l’attaque  dont  il  etoit 
chargé  avec  autant  d’intrépidité  que  d’intelligence.  Son 
Infanterie  s’y  est  montrée,  comme  eussent  faits  des  grenadiers 
habitués  aux  choses  difficiles  ; tout  ce  qui  defendoit  la  redoute 
attaquée  par  les  Américains  a été  tué  ou  fait  prisonnier. 
Un  Major  et  un  Officier  sont  du  nombre  des  derniers.  Le 
Cte  Guillaume  des  Deuxponts  qui  commandoit  400  Grena- 
diers ou  chasseurs  que  j’avois  destiné  a l’attaque  de  la 
grande  redoute  y a marché,  ainsi  que  M.  de  L’estrade  Lieute- 
nant Colonel  de  Gatinois  que  j’avois  mis  a ses  ordres,  et  a 
son  avant  garde,  avec  tant  d’ordre  et  d’Intrepedité,  qu’ils 
n’ont  pas  été  six  minutes  a se  rendre  maitres  de  cette  redoute 
et  a la  couronner.  Ils  y sont  entrés  l’un  et  l’autre  avec  les 
premiers  Grenadiers  après  s’etre  faits  des  passages  la  hache 
a la  main  aux  abbatis  dans  le  fossé  et  a la  fraise  de  cet 


68 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


ouvrage.  Cent  quarente  hommes  qui  le  deffendoient  et  qui 
ont  fait  un  feu  de  mousqueterie  très  vif,  ont  été  tués  ou  faits 
prisonniers.  Quelques  uns  se  sont  échappés,  dans  le  nombre 
des  quels  on  croit  le  Colonel  Makferson.  Le  Cte  de  Ros- 
taing  qui  marchoit  avec  deux  compagnies  de  chasseurs  au- 
xiliaires et  le  second  bataillon  de  son  regiment,  a l’appui  de 
cette  attaque,  s’est  egalement  conduit  avec  beaucoup  de 
valeur  et  de  distinction.  400  hommes  du  regiment  de 
Gatinois  se  sont  montrés  dans  cette  circonstance,  comme  si 
Auvergne  y avoit  été  tout  entier,  le  detail  particulier  doit 
vous  plaire.  Ils  y ont  malheureusement  perdu  prés  de 
soixante  et  dix  hommes,  dont  cinquante  Grenadiers  ou 
chasseurs.  Mr  de  Berthelot  a été  tué.  Mr  de  Sireuil, 
Capitaine  de  chasseurs  et  Officier  d’une  grande  distinction, 
a eu  la  jambe  fracassée,  et  M1'  de  Sillegue  Lieutenant  de 
chasseurs  blessé  très  grièvement.  Les  Grenadiers  et  chas- 
seurs des  Deuxponts  ont  eus  22  hommes  tués  ou  blessés,  les 
chasseurs  D’Agenois  six  hommes  tués;  ceux  de  Bourbonnois 
qui  avoient  la  tête  de  la  colonne  commandée  par  Mr  de 
Rostaing  n’ont  heureusement  rien  perdu.  En  tout  cette  * 
attaque  decisive  a coûté  prés  de  cent  hommes  ; mais  elle 
doit  faire  le  plus  grande  honneur  au  Comte  Guillaume  des 
Deuxponts  et  a Mr  de  l’Estrade,  au  Comte  de  Rostaing  et 
aux  Officiers  et  aux  troupes  qui  y ont  été  employés.  Joye 
et  bon  ton  avant  de  déboucher,  silence,  vigueur  et  difficidtés 
vaincues  pendant  l’attaque,  beaucoup  d’ordre  et  d’humanité 
après  le  succès,  voila  Mon  General  ce  que  j’ai  encore  vu  de 
la  nation  et  des  Grenadiers  des  Deuxponts;  après  20  ans  de 
paix,  et  ce  que  je  suis  bien  heureux  de  nous  annoncer. 

Je  dois  encore  vous  parler  de  deux  sergents  du  regiment 
de  Gatinois  que  j’avois  particulièrement  chargé  des  marcher 
a dix  pas  en  avant  des  Grenadiers,  pour  reconnoitre  et  indi- 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


69 


quer  les  passages  ou  les  points  les  plus  favorables  pour 
franchir  les  abbatis,  les  deux  hommes  qui  ont  été  conservés 
tous  deux  ont  si  bien  justifié  ce  que  Mr  le  Bon  de  L’Estrade 
m’avoit  dit  de  leur  intelligence  et  de  leur  valeur,  que  je  me 
fais  un  devoir  de  les  citer  avec  distinction  et  que  je  vous 
prie  de  ne  pas  desapprouver  que  j’aye  l’honneur  de  vous  les 
presenter  demain  matin.  M.M.  de  Vauban  et  de  la  Meth, 
chargés  par  vous  et  Mr  de  Béville  de  se  trouver  a cette 
attaque,  et  le  Comte  de  Damas  que  la  distinction  et  le  pureté 
de  son  zélé,  y avoient  seuls  appellés,  sont  entrés  dans  la 
redoute  avec  les  premiers  Grenadiers  et  se  sont  montrés 
partout  de  vrais  Paladins.  Ils  ont  une  fleur  de  courage  qui 
sera  quelque  jour  d’un  bien  bon  example  pour  les  guerriers 
qu'ils  seront  chargés  de  conduire,  et  certainement  de  la  plus 
grand  utilité  pour  le  service  du  Roy.  Le  Chevalier  de  La 
Meth  a été  blessé  très  ' grièvement  aux  deux  jambes,  après 
avoir  monté  sur  le  parapet. 

M.M.  de  Viomesnil,  de  S*  Amand,  de  Chabannes  de 
Brentano,  Desoteux  et  de  Pange,  mes  aides  de  camp,  ont 
mérité  que  je  les  cite  en  general  et  en  particulier,  pour  la 
distinction  de  leur  conduite  a cette  attaque  et  leur  exactitude 
pour  l’execution  des  ordres  que  je  leur  ai  donné  pendant 
toute  la  nuit. 

Mr  le  Cher  de  Menonville  aide  Major  General  ayant  amené 
lui  même  deux  cent  travailleurs  du  regiment  de  Soisonnois 
qui  dévoient  pousser  la  second  paralelle  jusqu’à  la  redoute 
enlevée  par  le  Cte  Guillaume  des  Deuxponts,  ce  travail  a été 
si  bien  fait  sous  la  direction  de  Mr  le  Chcr  Doiré,  si  prés 
des  ennemis,  et  si  promptement  que  j’ai  cru  devoir  faire 
donner  dix  sols  de  plus  a chaque  travailleurs  M.M.  de 
Turpin  et  de  Gouvion  ont  fait  travailler  avec  le  même  succès 


70 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


entre  les  redoutes  prises  et  a la  communication  de  la  lere 
a la  seconde  paralelle  des  américains. 

L’artillerie  avoit  fait  des  merveilles  pendant  tout  le  tems 
qus  avoit  precede  les  deux  attaques  Mr  D’Aboville  et  les 
Commandants  des  batteries  se  sont  encore  surpassés  pour  en 
preparer  le  succès. 

Je  ne  scais  pas  encore  la  perte  des  Américains,  l’orsque 
Mr.  de  la  Fayette  et  Mr  le  Baron  de  Stubens  m’en  auront 
remis  les  états,  je  m’empresserai  de  vous  les  adresser, 
suivant  ce  qu’ils  viennent  de  me  dire,  elle  n’est  pas  con- 
siderable. 

Le  Cte  Guillaume  a été  blessé  au  visage  mais  legerement, 
sa  conduite  a été  si  brillante,  et  son  action  si  distinguée  et 
si  decisive,  que  je  vous  supplie  Mon  General  de  lui  obtenir 
le  grade  de  Brigadier  de  la  bonté  du  Roy. 

Je  vous  demande  de  procurer  le  même  grade  a Mr  le  B°.“ 
de  L’estrade  qui  sert  depuis  plus  de  quarante  ans  et  qui  a 
donné  un  exemple  aux  Grenadiers  et  Chasseurs  de  son  regi- 
ment, digne  des  plus  grands  eloges.  Mr  le  Comte  de  Rostaing, 
Colonel  depuis  1770,  et  s’etant  aussi  très  distingué,  si  vous 
voulé  bien  demander  pour  lui  le  grade  de  Brigadier,  je  suis 
persuadé  qu’il  ne  lui  sera  pas  refusé. 

Le  General  Washington  ayant  paru  satisfait  du  succès  de 
nos  attaques,  il  ne  me  restera  plus  rien  a desirer,  si  vous 
ajoutez  votre  approbation  a tout  ce  qui  s’est  fait,  pendant  la 
durée  de  mon  sei’vice  a la  tranchée. 

J’ai  l’honneur  d’etre  avec  l’attachment  le  plus  respectueux 
Mon  General 

Votre  très  humble  et  très 

obéissant  serviteur 

Signé  VIOMESNIL 


MES  CAMPAGNES  D’AMERIQUE. 


71 


Lettre  qui  m’a  été  écrit  par  le  Ministre  de  la  guerre,  a 
mon  retour  en  France. 


A Versailles  le  5 Décembre  1781. 

Sur  le  Compte  Monsieur  que  j’ai  rendu  au  Roy  de  la  valeur 
et  du  courage  avec  lesquels  vous  vous  etes  conduit  a la  tête 
des  Grenadiers  que  vous  commandiés  a l’attaque  d’une 
redoute  au  siege  D’York,  Sa  Majesté  pour  vous  en  marquer 
toute  sa  satisfaction,  a bien  voulue  vous  donner  une  place  de 
chevalier  dans  l’ordre  militaire  de  S1  Louis,  par  distinction 
particulière  ; n’ayant  pas  le  tems  de  service  prescrit  pour  en 
etre  susceptible.  Elle  vous  accorde  de  plus,  l'assurance  d’un 
des  premiers  Regiments  de  dragons  qui  viendront  a vaquer. 
Je  vous  prie  d’etre  persuadé  du  plaisir  que  j’ai  a vous  annon- 
cer ces  graces. 

J'ai  l’honneur  d’etre  très  parfaitement  Monsieur,  Votre 
très  humble  et  très  obéissant  serviteur 
Signé 


SEGÜR. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


CAMPAIGN  OF  THE  YEAR  1780. 

It  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1780  that  the  King 
determined  to  send  troops  to  the  aid  of  the  United  States 
of  North  America.  The  design  was  not  made  public;  on  the 
contrary,  every  possible  precaution  was  taken  to  conceal 
the  destination  of  the  troops,  who  were  about  to  receive  the 
order  of  embarkation  ; and  the  regiments  of  Neustrie,  Bour- 
bonnois,  Soisonnois,  Saint  Onge,  Anhalt,  Royal  Dcuxponts, 
a battalion  of  artillery,  and  the  legion  of  Lauzun,  intended 
for  this  expedition,  left  their  winter  quarters  where  they  had 
been  stationed  after  the  futile  campaign  of  1779,  in  perfect 
ignorance  of  the  country  whither  they  were  going. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  alone  knew  this  state  secret.1 
It  was  he  who  was  charged  to  make  known  in  America  our 
coming,  and  his  departure,  which  preceded  ours,  could  give 
us  no  clew  as  to  our  destination,  which  we  considered  to  be 
independent  of  his,  because  his  rank  as  Major  General  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States  made  his  return  to  America 
a matter  of  course  and  even  necessary. 

At  the  end  of  the  month  of  February,  orders  were  issued 


1 “ It  was  mainly  the  personal  efforts  and  personal  influence  of  La- 
fayette, idol  of  the  French  people  as  he  had  made  himself,  which 
caused  the  army  of  Eochambeau  to  be  sent  to  America.”  Everett’s 
Orations,  i.  477. 


10 


76 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


from  the  war  department  for  the  departure  of  the  regiments 
which  composed  our  little  army  ; and  I received  in  the  early 
part  of  March  the  order  to  report  myself  on  the  15th  at 
Landernau,2  where  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts  was 
in  winter  quarters.  It  was  only  two  months  since  I was 
married,  — since  I had  united  my  lot  and  my  heart  to  a 
woman  whom  I loved  tenderly.  I will  confess  frankly  that 
the  first  feeling  which  this  order  caused  me  was  not  one  of 
pleasure,  and  I will  not  conceal  here  the  pain,  the  real  pain 
which  the  separation  from  my  wife  produced.  The  contest 
between  affection  and  duty  however  was  not  long,  the  latter 
carried  the  day;  it  experienced  only  the  resistance  of  a 
tender  heart,  and  it  experienced  only  enough  to  give  the 
glory  of  a victory  always  certain  for  a sold  that  appreciates 
the  claims  of  honor.  My  resolution  in  short  could  not  be 
doubtful,  but  as  my  presence  was  not  very  necessary  at  Lan- 
dernau before  the  month  of  April,  the  time  fixed  for  the 
embarkation  of  the  troops,  I asked  for  leave  of  absence 
until  March  31st.  The  objections  which  the  Minister  [of 
War]  made  to  my  request  were  overcome  by  the  solicita- 
tions of  the  Countess  de  Linanges,  which  were  prompted  by 
a friendly  interest  in  me,  and  she  obtained  it  for  me.  I took 
affectionate  leave  of  my  poor  mother  March  27th,  and  left 
my  wife  March  28th  ; the  tenderest  adieux  become  heart-rend- 
ing and  my  heart  experienced  them.  I took  my  departure. 
Some  tears  and  many  reflections  upon  what  I had  left  behind, 
upon  what  was  to  become  of  me,  and  upon  the  glory  that  I 
might  perhaps  achieve, — these  occupied  the  time  of  my  jour- 
ney. I reached  Landernau  on  the  31st,  where  I found 
orders  for  our  embarkation  on  the  4 th  of  April,  and  1 there 


2 Landernau  is  about  twelve  miles  from  Brest. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


77 


learned  the  unfortunate  necessity  that  compelled  us  to  leave 
behind  the  regiments  of  Neustrie  and  Anhalt  for  the  want 
of  means  of  transportation,  and  we  left  Landernau  on  the 
4th  of  April. 

The  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts  arrived  at  Brest  the 
same  day  and  went  on  board  of  the  “Eveillé  ” of  64  guns,  the 
“Venus,”  the  “Comtesse  de  Noailles,”  the  “Loire”  and  the 
“Ecureuil.”  Then  began  the  embarkation  of  the  regiments  that 
were  to  serve  under  the  Count  de  Rochambeau.  It  was  fol- 
lowed on  the  next  day  by  the  legion  of  Lauzun  ; on  the  6 th, 
by  the  regiment  of  Soisonnois  ; on  the  8th,  by  the  regiment 
of  Bourbonnois;  on  the  10th,  by  the  regiment  of  St.  Onge; 
and  the  artillery  went  on  board  of  their  ships  on  the  11th, 
and  were  the  last  of  the  troops  to  embark. 

The  general  officers,  aides-de-camp,  &c.  were  all  em- 
barked on  the  14th  of  April;  on  the  next  day,  taking  advan- 
tage of  a fair  wind,  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  commander 
of  our  squadron,  ordered  the  sailing  of  the  convoy,  which 
was  to  precede  by  a day  the  departure  of  the  ships  of  war. 
The  convoy  got  under  way  and  afterwards  came  to  anchor 
in  the  roadstead  of  Berthaume;  on  the  morning  of  the  16th, 
the  Admiral  ordered  the  fleet  to  weigh  anchor,  to  set  sail  ; and 
at  the  moment  of  getting  under  way,  the  wind  shifted  and 
forced  us  to  remain  in  the  roads  of  Brest.  The  wind  even 
became  so  violent  that  the  convoy  was  obliged  to  return  the 
next  day  to  the  same  roads. 

Reckoning  from  the  17th  of  April,  the  wind  was  con- 
stantly ahead.  This  forced  us  to  inactivity,  and  it  was  not 
before  the  2d  of  May,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  that 
we  could  set  sail.  Our  fleet  at  that  time  was  composed  of 
the  “Duc  de  Bourgogne”  of  80  guns  ; the  “Neptune,”  74  guns  ; 
the  “Conquérant,”  74;  the  “Eveillé”;  the  “Jason”;  the 


78 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


“Provence”;  and  the  “Ardent,”  64;  the  frigates  “ Bellone,” 
“ Amazone,”  and  “ Surveillante  ” ; the  cutters  “ Guêpe  ” and 
“Serpent”;  and  thirty-six  transports,  — making  in  all  forty- 
eight  vessels. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  at  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
frigate  “ Bellone  ” left  the  squadron  to  return  to  France.  Our 
passage  thus  far  had  been  slow  and  quite  destitute  of  adven- 
ture, and  in  the  three  days  and  a half  we  had  gone  only 
fifty  leagues.  When  the  “ Bellone  ” left  us,  the  flag-ship  made 
the  signal  to  put  the  crews  on  an  allowance  of  water,  from 
which  we  inferred  that  the  voyage  was  to  be  a long  one,  and 
it  increased  still  more  the  doubts  as  to  our  destination.  I 
believe  however  that  the  intention  of  M.  de  Ternay  in  mak- 
ing this  signal  was  to  deceive  the  “ Bellone  ” as  to  the  length 
of  our  voyage,  so  that  her  report  would  baffle  still  more  the 
curiosity  of  politicians. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  we 
made  Cape  Ortegal,* 3  situated  in  the  province  of  Galicia,  and 
were  in  sight  of  land  until  nine.  The  iveather  suddenly 
became  thick,  and  the  wind  arose  with  so  much  violence 
that  we  were  obliged  to  lie  to  in  the  greatest  haste.  The 
“ Provence  ” had  her  fore  top-mast  and  main  top-gallant-mast 
carried  away  ; several  other  vessels  suffered,  among  them 
was  the  “ Neptune,”  which  lost  her  mizzen  top-mast.  Imme- 
diately afterwards  they  signalized  from  the  “ Provence”  that 
she  could  not  be  repaired  at  sea.*  The  wind  continued  all 
day  with  the  same  force. 

On  the  10th,  the  violence  of  the  gale  lasted  until  five 


* Four  days  afterwards,  however,  they  repaired  her  in  two  hours. 


3 Cape  Ortegal  is  in  the  north-west  part  of  Spain. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


79 


o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  a fresh  breeze  from  the  north- 
west allowed  us  at  that  hour  to  get  away  from  the  land  and 
to  make  sail. 

From  the  10th  to  the  15th,  the  wind  was  continually  ahead  ; 
and  we  were  all  this  time  beating  to  the  windward,  satisfied 
with  holding  our  own  and  not  losing  what  we  had  made. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  the  wind  became  favorable 
and  allowed  us  on  the  same  day  to  pass  Cape  Finistère.4 
The  cutter  “ Serpent  ” was  sent  back  to  France  to  carry  the 
news  of  our  passing  the  Cape.  The  wind  kept  up  steadily 
from  the  north-east  ; and  on  the  21st  we  had  passed  the  island 
of  Madeira,  leaving  it  nearly  fifty  leagues  to  the  eastward. 

From  the  21st  of  May  to  the  3d  of  June  the  weather  was 
continually  fine,  and  the  wind  fair  though  for  the  most  part 
too  light  to  make  great  progress.  Our  course  thus  far  gave 
us  no  clew  as  to  our  destination  ; it  was  equally  towards 
North  America  and  towards  the  West  Indies.5  On  the  3d, 
while  the  squadron  was  lying  to  and  the  sea  smooth,  the 
Count  de  Damas,  my  brother,  and  myself  went  on  board  of 
the  “Duc  de  Bourgogne”  to  visit  the  Count  de  Rochambeau, 
who  told  us  that  we  were  on  our  way  to  North  America. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  sent  us  in 
our  respective  vessels  instructions  in  regard  to  landing,  the 
natuhe  of  our  service,  and  the  order  of  rank  to  be  observed 
towards  the  troops  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

On  the  11th  of  June,  the  frigates  “Surveillante”  and 


4 Cape  Finistère  ( Finis  Terras,  Land’s  End)  is  in  the  north-west 
part  of  Spain. 

5 “We  began  to  have  doubts  as  to  the  real  destination  of  the  expe- 
dition. The  naval  officers  for  the  most  part  thought  that  we  were 
going  to  St.  Domingo,  and  that  an  expedition,  consisting  of  land  and 
naval  forces,  intended  to  attack  Jamaica.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut.-général 
M.  Dumas.  Paris,  1839,  i.  30. 


80 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


“ Amazone”  took,  after  a chase  of  eight  hours,  a small  Eng- 
lish vessel  coming  from  Halifax.6 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  we  passed  Bermuda,  north  and 
south,7  leaving  it  nearly  sixty  leagues  to  the  north.  The 
frigates  “ Surveillante  ” and  “ Amazone  ” took,  on  the  same 
day,  an  English  brig8  carrying  twelve  guns,  which  was  com- 
ing from  the  siege  of  Charleston,  which  place  the  English  had 
taken  from  the  United  States  of  America  on  the  8th  of  May, 
after  a siege  of  six  weeks.9  This  vessel  gave  us  positive 
intelligence  in  regard  to  it.  She  had  on  board  five  officers 
of  the  46th  regiment,  who  were  on  their  way  to  Barbadoes 


6 “An  English  brig  bound  from  Halifax  to  St.  Kitts  got  among  the 
squadron,  and  was  taken  by  the  Surveillante  frigate.”  Souvenirs 
du  lieut.-général  il I.  Dumas,  i.  31. 

7 This  expression  is  rather  obscure  and  I translate  it  literally.  It 
probably  means  that  they  had  passed  the  meridian  running  north  and 
south  through  Bermuda;  that  is,  they  were  directly  south  of  the 
island,  leaving  it  sixty  leagues  to  the  north.  In  the  Operations  of  the 
French  Fleet  under  the  Count  de  Grasse  in  1781-2,  Bradford  Club,  New 
York,  p.  132,  translated  from  the  French  by  John  G.  Shea,  Esq.,  a 
similar  expression  is  to  be  found,  though  the  original  text  is  not  given. 
“A  hundred  leagues  north  and  south  of  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland, 
we  fell  in  with  an  English  cartel  going  to  Boston,  which  we  examined 
strictly.” 

H “ The  Surveillante  frigate  chased  and  took  a brig  mounting 
12  guns.  The  captain  of  this  vessel,  a major,  and  some  other  officers, 
who  were  going  from  the  army  of  General  Cliuton  to  that  of  General 
Vaughan  in  the  Windward  Islands,  confirmed  the  news  of  the  taking 
of  Charleston  by  General  Clinton,  on  the  15th  of  May.”  Souvenirs  du 
lieut.-général  M.  Dumas,  i.  32. 

9 This  account  was  premature,  as  Charleston  was  not  taken  by  the 
English  until  the  12th  of  May,  though  on  the  eighth  there  had  been  a 
cessation  of  hostilities  to  consider  capitulation,  which  probably  gave 
rise  to  the  above  report.  The  Siege  of  Charleston  by  the  British 
Fleet  and  Army.  Albany,  1867,  pp.  98-103. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


81 


from  Charleston.  She  mistook  onr  squadron  for  an  English 
one,  which  is  expected  off  New  England  ; and  she  never  sus- 
pected her  mistake  until  we  hoisted  the  French  flag,  which 
forced  her  to  haul  down  hers. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  six  vessels  far  to  the  windward  of  us 
were  signalized  ; it  was  then  about  half-past  twelve  o’clock, 
at  noon.  The  ships  of  the  line,  “Neptune”  and  “Eveillé,” 
received  at  once  orders  by  signals  to  go  in  chase,  keeping 
to  the  windward,  and  verbal  orders  * to  carry  but  little  sail. 
We  immediately  ran  up  the  English  flag  and  went  in  chase  ; 
half  an  hour  afterwards  we  discovered  that  they  were  mak- 
ing for  us,  and  we  could  see  distinctly  that  they  were  vessels 
of  war,  though  the  distance  was  still  too  great  for  us  to  make 
out  their  armament  ; we  could  judge  however  of  their  nation- 
ality by  the  readiness  with  which  they  came  towards  the 
English  flag.  They  were  all  making  for  us,  but  without 
order  and  some  distance  apart,  when  one  of  them  separated 
from  the  others  and  made  for  our  convoy,  which  continued 
its  course  with  the  other  five  vessels,  that  were  now  to  the 
leeward  of  us.  At  three  o’clock  the  officer  of  the  deck  came 
to  tell  us  that  the  vessels  which  we  were  chasing  were  five 
ships  of  the  line  and  one  frigate.  The  “ Neptune  ” which 
was  a little  in  advance,  signalized  this  to  our  squadron,  and 
our  vessel  repeated  it.  We  were  at  dinner;  and-  this  news 
made  us  leave  the  table,  in  order  to  stow  the  hammocks  and 
prepare  for  action.  Half  an  hour  afterwards  our  two  ships 


* We  passed  astern  of  the  flag-ship,  when  this  verbal  order  was 
given  to  us  through  a speaking  trumpet.  Our  captain  replied  twice 
that  he  could  not  hear  it,  because  he  wanted  the  order  to  be  signalized  ; 
on  the  third  repetition  the  “ Eveillé  ” was  so  near  the  “ Duc  de  Bour- 
gogne ” that  M.  de  Tilly  could  not  turn  the  deaf  ear  on  him,  and  was 
obliged  to  obey  without  the  signals. 


82 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


of  the  line  found  themselves  within  long  range  of  a seventy- 
four  gun  ship,  and  of  the  hostile  frigate,  which  was  about 
half  a league  ahead  of  the  rest  of  their  squadron.  The  frigate 
ran  up  the  Spanish  flag,  which  was  to  serve  as  a signal  of 
recognition,  and  to  which  we  had  no  reply  to  make  ; the  line- 
of-battle  ship  and  the  frigate  interpreted  our  silence  and  lay 
to,  while  we  put  about*  to  rejoin  our  squadron,  which  upon 
the  signal  from  the  “Neptune”  had  left  the  convoy  and  was 
coming  up  against  the  wind,  with  all  sails  set,  to  our  sup- 
port. 

At  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  our  seven  ships  were  in 
line  of  battle;  the  English  had  formed  theirs,  with  the 
exception  of  the  vessel  which  was  separated  from  their 
squadron,  and  which  was  chasing  our  convoy  and  had  con- 
sequently fallen  to  the  leeward  not  only  of  its  squadron 
but  of  ours,  so  that  it  was  sure  to  be  cut  off,  if  M.  de  Ter- 
nay  had  “taken  advantage  of  our  superior  position.  The 
French  squadron,  of  which  the  “ Neptune”  had  the  lead,  gave 
chase  ; but  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay  was  continually  making 
the  signal  to  the  leading  ships  to  take  in  sail,  and  gave  time 
to  the  enemy’s  vessel  to  haul  her  wind  and  escape.f  The 
English  squadron  was  to  the  windward  of  us  and  was 


* We  put  about  without  receiving  the  signal  to  do  so  from  the 
“Duc  de  Bourgogne.”  I neither  understand,  nor  approve  of,  this 
manœuvre  on.  the  part  of  M.  Destouches.  If  we  had  fought  the 
seventy-four  gun  ship  which  was  within  rauge,  it  is  true  our  two 
ships  would  have  had  to  fight  four  of  the  enemy’s,  but  half  an  hour 
afterwards,  these  four  would  have  been  blown  to  pieces  by  our  seven. 

f The  reputation  of  M.  de  Ternay  will  never  be  free  from  the  re- 
proach which  his  conduct  in  this  affair  deserves,  and  which  ought  to 
have  covered  him  with  glory.  If  he  had  instructions  not  to  fight,  he 
ought  not  to  have  begun  the  battle  ; if  he  was  free  to  fight,  he  ought 
to  have  used  his  advantages,  and  that  was  not  difficult. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


83 


running  in  the  same  direction.  At  half-past  five  we  ran  up 
the  French  flag,  and  the  enemy  ran  up  his  ; and  at  a quarter 
to  six,  our  flag-ship  signalized  to  the  leading  vessel  to  begin 
the  fight.  That  very  moment  the  English  ship,  finding  her- 
self sufficiently  free  on  the  wind,  put  about  against  the  wind, 
and  passed  before  the  French  squadron,  receiving  whole 
broadsides  and  replying  to  all  which  we  sent.  By  this  bold 
and  skilful  manœuvre  she  regained  her  position  in  line. 
The  fight  began,  and  for  twenty  minutes  was  hot  and  heavy. 
The  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  in  order  to  draw  nearer  to  the 
enemy,  made  the  signal  to  our  squadron  to  tack  ship  in 
succession.  Firing  began  again  at  a great  distance;  the 
English  held  the  wind,  and  gradually  drew  off  from  us, 
night  coming  on  a quarter  of  an  hour  after  the  end  of  our 
engagement.  The  English  squadron  was  composed  of 
two  line-of-battle  ships  of  74  guns,  two  of  64,  one  of  50, 
and  the  frigate  might  be  of  32  guns.  Our  whole  con- 
voy remained  together  a half  league  to  the  leeward,  and 
was  protected  by  the  “ Amazone ” and  the  “Surveillante.” 
The  fight  lasted  in  all,  reckoning  from  the  first  shot  to  the 
last,  nearly  an  hour  and  a quarter.10  We  lighted  our  lights 

10  Dumas  in  liis  Souvenirs,  p.  36,  gives  a detailed  account  of  this 
action,  and  says  that  “our  captain,  M.  de  la  Clochetterie  [of  the  Ja- 
son] had  during  the  engagement  loudly  blamed  the  fault  committed 
by  M.  de  Ternay  in  causing  his  two  foremost  vessels  to  slacken  sail, 
and  which  had  allowed  the  “Ruby,”  wThich  was  already  cut  off  from 
its  line  to  disengage  itself  and  rejoin  the  squadron.”  Dumas  further- 
more states,  p.  37,  that  when  M.  de  Ternay  learned  all  the  facts,  “ he 
was  extremely  mortified,  and  his  premature  death  was  ascribed  to  that 
cause.”  On  the  other  hand,  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  by  implication 
justifies  the  course  of  the  French  Admiral  in  this  affair,  and  says  that 
he  thought  more  of  the  safety  of  his  fleet  than  of  any  personal  glory 
he  might  acquire  by  taking  one  of  the  enemy’s  ships.  Mémoires 
Militaires  de  Bochambeau.  Paris,  1809,  i.  241. 


11 


84 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


and  kept  them  during  the  whole  night  ; the  English  did  not 
have  theirs.  If  this  is  any  proof  of  victory  on  our  part,  I 
must  confess  that  it  is  slight. 

On  the  21st,  the  “Surveillante”  took  a large  English, 
vessel  freighted  with  wood,  coming  from  Savannah.  They 
told  us  that  on  the  8th  they  saw  Admiral  Arbutlmot  before 
Charleston,  that  he  had  with  him  only  frigates,  because  ships 
of  the  line  could  not  pass  Charleston  bar.  This  makes  us 
all  believe  that  the  fleet  which  we  engaged  yesterday  was 
Arbuthnot’s,  coming  from  Halifax  and  going  to  join  him.  We 
have  so  much  more  the  reason  to  believe  that  this  hostile 
fleet  was  commanded  simply  by  a captain,  as  we  did  not  see 
on  any  of  their  vessels  a pennant  of  distinction.*  We  judge 
that  these  five  vessels  were  the  “ Robust  ” and  the  “ Russel,” 
of  74  guns,  the  “ Europa  ” and  the  “ Raissonable,”  64,  and 
the  “ Renown,”  50. 

From  the  21st  of  June  to  the  4th  of  July,  our  course 
was  often  impeded  by  calms  or  head  winds.  A mistake 
had  been  made  by  the  whole  fleet,  in  reckoning  longitude  ; 
we  were  behind  our  computations,  which  made  us  sound  often, 
without  finding  bottom. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  at  half-past  ten  in  the  morning,  a sail 
was  signalized.  The  Chevalier  de  Ternay  ordered  the 


* We  learned  three  months  afterwards  that  this  squadron  was  com- 
manded by  Captain  Cornwallis,  coming  from  Jamaica,* 11  where  he 
had  left  a convoy,  and  that  the  five  vessels  were  the  “Hector”  and 
the  “ Snltan,”  of  74  guns,  the  “Lion”  and  the  “ Ruby,”  64,  the 
“ Bristol,”  30,  and  the  frigate  was  the  “ Niger,”  32. 


11  The  Count  de  Rochambeau  says  that  this  squadron  was  returning 
to  Jamaica,  after  having  escorted  fifty  merchantmen  as  far  as  Ber- 
muda. Mémoires,  i.  241. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


85 


frigates  “ Amazone  ” and  “ Surveillante  ” to  go  in  chase  ; the 
“Duc  de  Bourgogne”  made  the  signal  that  she  should  act  in- 
dependently of  the  others,  and  supported  the  two  frigates  in 
their  chase.  She  proved  to  be  a small  vessel,  armed,  and  a 
fast  sailer.  She  only  hauled  down  her  colors  after  several 
shots  were  fired  at  her.  She  was  nevertheless  taken  and 
manned  by  two  o’clock.  Knowing  that  we  were  near  the 
American  coast,  we  considered  her  to  be  an  English  spy, 
sent  out  to  watch  us.  At  half-past  two,  the  “ Amazone  ” 
signalized  that  she  had  found  bottom  at  sixty  fathoms  ; an 
hour  after,  the  “ Conquérant  ” found  bottom  at  fifteen  fath- 
oms, and  at  four  o’clock,  the  “ Eveillé,”  at  thirteen  fathoms. 
We  could  no  longer  doubt  our  nearness  to  land;  and  the 
vessel  just  taken  reports  us  about  ten  leagues  to  the  east  of 
Cape  Henry,  one  of  the  capes  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  The 
squadron  lay  to,  and  the  signal  to  fill  the  sails  was  imme- 
diately followed  by  prepare  to  anchor.  At  quarter  after 
six  the  order  was  to  anchor,  which  was  countermanded 
immediately  afterwards.  At  half-past  six  the  “ Surveil- 
lante ” signalized  two  sails  ; the  Admiral  immediately  made 
the  signal  to  clear  for  action  ; we  were  a little  astonished  at 
the  suddenness  of  this  order,  but  a moment  afterwards,  the 
“Duc  de  Bourgogne”  signalized  nine  sails,  while  another  vessel 
signalized  eleven.  This  seemed  to  us  a little  more  serious. 
My  comrades  and  myself  began  to  calculate  the  chances. 
We  knew  that  Admiral  Graves  was  to  leave  England  with  a 
large  squadron  at  the  same  time  with  us,  or  soon  after  ; that 
this  squadron  without  convoy,  sailing  faster  than  we  did, 
ought  to  have  arrived  at  its  destination  ; that  it  could  have 
joined  Arbuthnot  ; and  it  was  very  probable  that  these  two 
squadrons  having  joined  were  cruising,  awaiting  our  arrival. 
The  little  vessel  we  took  seemed  to  us  more  than  ever  a spy. 


86 


MY  CAMPAIGN'S  IN  AMERICA. 


M.  de  Ter  nay,  by  means  of  fifty  lashes,  or  a severe  cudgel- 
ling, had  extorted  the  truth  from  the  captain  ; and  the  signal 
to  tack  ship,  all  sails  set,  the  intelligence  that  the  Admiral 
was  going  to  give  false  courses  for  .the  night,*  five  of  which 
appeared  the  moment  after,  and  one  of  our  small  vessels,  sent 
to  reconnoitre,  — these  made  us  all  think  that  the  vessels12 
we  discovered  were  those  of  Arbuthnot  and  Graves,  of  much 
superior  force  and  much  to  be  feared.  As  the  sun  went 
down,  I saw  only  five  of  the  vessels  signalized.  Darkness 
came  on.  We  began  our  false  courses  at  ten  o’clock,  which 


* All  these  signals  indicated  rather  a shameful  flight  than  a skilful 
manœuvre.  Never  has  one  seen  fear  better  depicted  at  sea.  I saw 
with  mortification  this  sketch  of  fear  of  M.  de  Ternay  ; he  had  not 
even  sufficient  presence  of  mind  to  send  out  vessels  to  reconnoitre. 
The  “ Surveillante  ” and  the  “ Eveillé  ” are  good  sailers  enough  to 
have  been  able  to  accomplish  this  in  safety.  They  could  have  seen 
and  reported, -and  our  Admiral  might  have  known  that  it  was  in  his 
power  to  capture  two  ships  of  the  line,  of  44  guns,  four  frigates  and 
a convoy  which  composed  the  sails  which  he  had  seen,  and  which  had 
given  him  so  much  fear.  It  was  not  till  four  months  afterwards  that 
he  knew  it.  It  would  have  been  happy  for  us  if  we  had  not  lost  an 
opportunity  like  this,  but  when  one  is  in  fear,  he  does  not  see  so  well. 


12  According  to  Rochambeau,  this  proved  to  be  a convoy  coming 
from  Charleston  to  New  York,  under  the  escort  of  some  frigates. 
Admiral  de  Ternay,  intent  on  taking  his  fleet  in  safety  to  its  destina- 
tion, endeavored  to  shun  every  encounter  with  the  enemy,  which 
would  tend  only  to  his  own  reputation.  Mémoires,  252.  “ It 

was  then  we  learned  that  the  eleven  sails  before  which  we  had  changed 
our  course  at  the  entrance  of  the  Chesapeake,  were  for  the  most  part 
only  frigates  and  large  vessels,  which  were  carrying  to  New  York  the 
English  troops  from  Charleston.  Thus  fortune  had  twice  offered  us 
easy  and  most  important  success.  I have  said  above  that  the  French 
Admiral,  M.  de  Ternay,  regretted  the  prudence  of  his  conduct,  not- 
withstanding the  good  motives  which  had  dictated  it.”  Souvenirs  du 
lieut.-yénéral  Dumas,  i.  42. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


87 


were  very  well  made.  At  half-past  twelve  at  night,  five 
cannon  balls  were  fired  between  the  masts  of  the  “Duc  de 
Bourgogne.”  These  made  us  believe  that  the  enemy  had 
come  up  with  us,  and  that  we  could  not  escape  him  by 
morning  ; and  we  passed  the  night  in  the  preparation  and 
expectation  of  an  attack,  of  which  the  issue  did  not  seem  to 
be  favorable.  I nevertheless  turned  in.  It  is  the  part  of 
wisdom  to  sleep  rather  than  to  dream  of  a naval  fight  where 
there  is  nothing  to  gain.  I awoke  at  half-past  three,  and 
my  first  care  was  to  ask  if  the  enemy  was  upon  us.  The 
reply  was  that  only  two  foreign  vessels  could  be  seen.  I 
looked  and  saw  two  frigates13  of  the  enemy  in  the  middle  of 
our  convoy,  which  was  setting  all  sails  to  get  away  ; so  much 
the  better,  thought  I.  Our  frigates  and  the  ship  of  the  line 
which  were  near  M.  de  Ternay,  with  eagerness  asked  him 
for  permission  to  give  chase  ; but  he  did  not  think  it  prudent 
to  grant  it,  before  it  was  sufficiently  light  to  see  whether 
there  was  a superior  force.  At  five  o’clock  in  the  morning, 
he  was  satisfied,  and  made  the  signal  to  our  frigates  to  give 
chase,  and  joined  in  it  himself.  It  was  kept  up  until  one 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  without  our  being  able  to  come  up 
with  the  hostile  frigates,  which  outsailed  us  ; and  in  order 
to  make  their  escape  more  sure,  however,  they  had  sacri- 
ficed some  of  their  guns,  which  they  had  thrown  overboard. 
The  squadron  and  convoy  held  on  the  same  course  as  the 
chasing  vessels  ; we  were  all  together  again  at  three  o’clock 
and  lay  to.  The  Admiral  ordered  all  the  ships  of  the  line 
and  frigates  to  send  for  orders,  and  declared  that  he  was 


13  “ At  daybreak  we  saw  two  English  frigates  ; they  were  ahead,  and 
we  could  not  suppose  that  they  belonged  to  the  squadron  which  we 
had  avoided.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut.- général  M.  Dumas,  i.  38. 


88 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


taking  the  squadron  to  Boston  or  Rhode  Island.  The  En- 
sign 14  who  had  been  sent  for  orders  told  everybody  on 
his  return,  as  a secret,  that  the  Admiral  had  seen  the  day 
before  eleven  sails,  and  from  information  he  had,  he  was  sure 
that  they  formed  an  English  squadron  of  seven  ships  of  the 
line,  the  “ London  ” of  98  guns,  and  six  ships,  of  74. 

The  great  number  of  our  sick  and  the  hardships  we  had 
experienced  from  lying  twenty-seven  days  in  the  roads  of 
Brest,  and  from  being  sixty-six  days  at  sea,  made  us  wish  to 
avoid  the  meeting  of  the  forces  with  which  we  were  threat- 
ened. The  enemy,  who  left  at  the  same  time  we  did,  could 
already  have  been  rested  from  his  voyage,  which  must  have 
been  shorter  than  ours,  as  he  had  no  convoy. 

In  the  night  of  the  5th-6th  of  July,  we  lost  the  little 
vessel,  taken  on  the  4th.  She  had  had  her  bowsprit  carried 
away,  which  made  her  lag  behind  ; and  she  was  not  of  suf- 
ficient importance  to  keep  back  the  whole  squadron  and 
convoy. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay  ordered  on 
board  of  his  ship  all  the  captains  of  our  ships  of  the  line 
and  frigates  of  the  squadron,  and  told  them,  after  a short 
council  of  war  held  with  them,  that  he  was  taking  us  to 
Rhode  Island.  The  reports  which  were  circulated  on  the 
5th,  about  the  English  squadron,  which  was  supposed  to 
have  been  discovered  on  the  evening  of  the  4th,  were  denied. 
I approve  strongly  of  this  denial,  which  is  bound  to  have  a 
good  effect  among  the  crew  ; but  still  I am  nevertheless  per- 
suaded that  the  first  accounts  were  true,  and  we  all  expect 
to  fight  before  we  reach  land. 


14  “In  the  French  navy  the  ensign  ranks  next  to  the  lieutenant.” 
Operations  of  the  French  Fleet,  p.  62. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


89 


Prom  the  7th  to  the  9th  of  July,  the  weather  was  very 
foggy  ; nevertheless,  with  care  and  signals,  the  squadron 
and  convoy  had  been  kept  together,  with  the  exception  of 
the  transport,  the  “ Isle  de  France,”  which  had  been  sepa- 
rated from  us  and  which  is  missing  at  this  time.  On  the 
9th,  at  six  o’clock  in  the  morning,  we  found  bottom  at  forty 
fathoms  ; the  uncertainty  of  our  distance  from  land  and  the 
impossibility  of  seeing  it,  induced  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay 
to  come  to  anchor  at  noon.  At  two  o’clock  the  weather 
cleared  up,  and  at  three  we  set  sail  ; a short  time  after  we 
made  land,  but  could  not  identify  it.  We  approached  it 
until  seven  o’clock  in  the  evening,  when  we  saw  a small 
American  boat,  the  captain  of  which  the  Admiral  ordered 
aboard  his  ship,  and  we  learned  that  the  land  we  had  seen 
was  No  Man’s  Island,  one  of  the  islands  of  Nantucket  Banks. 
We  came  to  anchor  at  nine  o’clock  in  the  evening,  and  sailed 
again  the  next  day  at  four  in  the  morning. 

On  the  10th,  in  the  evening,  we  made  land  again,  and 
were  sure  that  it  was  Rhode  Island  ; we  passed  the  night  at 
anchor,  and  sailed  at  daybreak  on  the  next  day.  The  fog 
was  very  thick,  and  we  ran  in  towards  land,  where  we  should 
have  been  lost  if  the  “ Ecureuil  ” had  not  fired  some  guns 
to  warn  us  of  our  danger.  The  fog  lifted,  and  we  were  off 
Point  Judith,  where  we  were  becalmed  and  forced  to  anchor. 
The  Admiral  sent  us  an  American  pilot15  (Colonel  Elliot), 


is  “Directions  were  also  given  to  several  pilots  to  be  in  readiness 
to  go  on  board  the  French  fleet  as  soon  as  it  should  arrive  on  the 
coast.”  — Sparks’s  Washington,  vii.  105.  “Pilots  from  the  island 
of  Martha’s  Vineyard  conducted  the  squadron  to  the  anchorage  of 
Rhode  Island.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut.- général  M.  Dumas,  i.  39. 
Probably  Colonel  Elliot  was  one  of  those  taken  by  the  Admiral  from 
Martha's  Vineyard,  and  sent  by  him  on  board  of  the  “Eveillé.” 


90 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


when  we  set  sail  again  in  the  afternoon,  and  entered  the 
channel  of  Newport  in  the  evening  of  the  11th  of  July. 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  went  ashore  the  same  day 
and  was  engaged  in  selecting  a camping  ground,  and  in  all 
the  details  relative  to  his  little  army,  which  prevented  him 
from  beginning  the  disembarkation  of  his  troops  till  the 
13th  of  July.  The  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  were  the  first 
to  land,  and  the  same  evening  occupied  the  camp  which  is 
intended  for  us.  They  were  followed  on  the  14th  and  15th 
by  the  well  troops,  and  the  16th,  17th,  18th,  and  19th  were 
given  up  to  landing  the  sick.  Some  of  these  were  carried 
to  hospitals  in  readiness  for  them  at  Newport,  while  others 
were  taken  to  a hospital  established  at  Pappasquash,16 
twelve  miles  from  Newport. 

The  camp  of  the  French  army  has  its  right  wing  resting 
near  Newport,  a little  in  front  of  the  town,  and  the  left 
touches  the  sea.  The  legion  of  Lauzun  is  encamped  in 
fi'ont  of  the  army,  on  a peninsula  called  the  Neck. 

We  have  at  last  reached  the  end  of  our  voyage,  and  of 
our  fatigue  and  tedium  which  are  inseparable  from  it.  That 
moment  is  sweet,  when  one  sees  land  after  having  been  sev- 
enty-one days  at  sea.  One  never  appreciates  the  price  of 
happiness  better  than  after  having  bought  it  by  privations 
and  discomforts  ; but  we  have  too  much  to  do  with  suffering 
humanity  to  enjoy  it.  Scurvy  has  made  frightful  ravages 


16  Pappasquash  is  the  neck  of  land  in  front,  or  to  the  west,  of  the 
harbor  of  Bristol,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Newport,  and  seven  or 
eight  miles  north  of  Portsmouth  Grove.  I am  indebted  to  Dr.  David 
King,  of  Newport,  for  many  facts  in  regard  to  the  places  in  this 
vicinity.  An  interesting  article  on  the  derivation  of  the  name  Pap- 
pasquash, by  the  Hon.  J.  Hammond  Trumbull,  of  Hartford,  is  found  in 
Church’s  History  of  King  Philip's  War.  Boston,  1865,  p.  156. 


MY  CAMPAIGN’S  IN  AMERICA. 


91 


with  the  troops,  some  of  whom  have  died  on  the  passage. 
The  great  number  of  the  sick,17  as  well  as  the  feeble  condi- 
tion of  others,  make  us  fear  that  we  shall  lose  many  more. 

We  did  not  meet  with  that  reception  on  landing,  which 
we  expected  and  which  we  ought  to  have  had.18  A coldness 
and  a reserve  appear  to  me  to  be  characteristic  of  the 
American  nation.  They  appear  to  have  little  of  that  en- 
thusiasm which  one  supposes  would  belong  to  a people 
fighting  for  its  liberties,  and  to  be  little  suited  to  inspire  it  in 
others.  But  these  considerations  shall  not  at  all  change  my 
resolution,  and  they  occupy  my  thoughts  less  than  my  reflec- 
tions upon  our  military  and  political  position.  We  are  not 
numerous  ; and  I foresee  with  anxiety  that  we  cannot  make 
a campaign  of  great  importance,  if  our  second  division  does 
not  arrive  soon,  and  put  us  in  a condition  to  go  to  work.19 


17  “ A large  third  of  the  army  and  navy  was  attacked  with  scurvy, 
and  was  sent  to  hospitals,  established  in  the  interior  of  the  country.” 
Rochambeau’s  Mémoires,  i.  244. 

13  This  statement  does  not  accord  with  that  made  by  others.  Gen- 
eral Heath  writes  to  General  Washington  from  Newport,  July  12th, 
1780,  that  “ the  inhabitants  appear  disposed  to  treat  our  allies  with 
much  respect.  The  town  is  to  be  illuminated  this  evening,  by  a vote 
of  the  inhabitants.  Tor  myself,  I am  charmed  with  the  officers.” 
Sparks’s  Correspondence  of  the  devolution.  Boston,  1853,  iii.  12. 

Furthermore,  General  Dumas  says  that  “ we  were  welcomed  with 
the  acclamations  of  a small  number  of  patriots  that  remained  in  this 
island  [of  Rhode  Island]  lately  occupied  by  the  English,  who  had 
been  forced  to  abandon  it.  Scarcely  had  the  arrival  of  the  French 
squadron  been  signalized,  when  the  authorities  and  principal  inhabi- 
tants of  the  neighboring  towns  hastened  to  welcome  us.”  Souvenirs, 
i.  40. 

19  “The  frigate  Alliance  arrived  in  Boston  from  L’Orient,  on  the 
16th  of  August,  and  brought  the  intelligence  that  the  French  squad- 
ron, and  troops  which  were  to  constitute  the  second  division  of  Count 
de  Rochambeau’s  army,  were  blockaded  iu  the  harbor  of  Brest  by 
12 


92 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


On  the  morning  of  the  21st  of  July,  a brig,  intended  to 
take  back  to  France  the  news  of  our  arrival  in  North 
America,  sailed  from  Rhode  Island,  under  escort  of  the 
frigates  “ Surveillante,”  “ Amazone,”  and  “ Hermione,”  which 
were  going  to  convoy  it  a certain  distance.  The  sight  of 
some  sails  made  this  flotilla  return.  The  sails  we  discov- 
ered approached  ; and  at  six  o’clock  in  the  evening  we  counted 
twenty  of  them  from  land,  of  which  at  least  nine  had  two 
decks.  Their  silence  to  all  of  our  signals  made  from  land, 
left  no  doubt  that  they  were  English.  The  uncertainty  of 
their  designs,  and  the  fear  that  they  were  going  to  force  a 
passage  through  the  channel  of  Rhode  Island,  made  us  bring 
the  broadsides  of  seven  ships  of  the  line  to  bear  upon  them  ; 
and  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  the  same  evening  threw  up 
some  batteries,  which  commanded  the  channel  on  the  side  of 
Rhode  Island,*  while  the  navy  erected  some  on  the  side  of 


* The  works  thrown  up  on  the  side  of  Rhode  Island  were  mounted 
only  with  twelve  pounders.  Our  large  guns  and  mortars  had  not  yet 
been  landed,  and  one  can  easily  see  that  such  batteries  could  not  have 
been  of  much  service  against  ships  of  the  line.  At  this  time,  one  half 
of  our  army  was  sick.  No  landing  place  had  been  sought  out,  and  no 
road  open.  Our  position  would  not  have  been  easy  if  we  had  had  to 
do  with  a bold  and  skilful  enemy. 


an  English  fleet  of  thirty-two  sail.”  Sparks’s  Washington,  vii.  176. 

“ The  second  division  of  the  French  troops  destined  for  America, 
which  had  been  blockaded  in  the  harbor  of  Brest,  was  expected  daily 
on  the  coast.  Count  de  Rochambeair  had  visited  New  London,  Nor- 
wich, Lebanon,  and  Windham,  and  other  towns,  and  ascertained  that 
the  troops  might  be  well  provided  for  in  those  places.  As  this  divi- 
sion never  arrived,  there  was  no  occasion  for  further  preparation.” 
Sparks’s  Washington,  vii.  319. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


93 


Connonicut.20  M.  de  la  Valette,  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
regiment  of  Saint  Onge,  had  been  detached  with  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  to  Connonicut;  and  the  Count  de  Cus- 
tine 21  and  myself,  second  in  command,  had  been  detached 
with  the  battalions  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  our  two 
brigades  ; and  we  have  taken  our  position  on  the  sea-shore  to 
prevent  any  attempt  at  landing  from  the  one  side  or  the 
other.  Admiral  Arbutlmot  remained  continually  in  sight  of 
land  until  the  26th  of  July.  That  night,  he  anchored  off 
Point  Judith,  and  passed  the  day  under  sail,  cruising  some- 
times at  one  league,  at  other  times  three  or  four  leagues,  from 
the  coast.  In  the  evening  of  the  26th,  the  General  ordered  us 
to  return  to  the  camp  of  the  army,  and  the  legion  of  Lauzun 
took  our  position.  The  Count  de  Rochambeau,  having  been 
informed  on  the  24th,  that  General  Clinton  was  embarking 
ten  thousand  men  who  were  coming  to  attack  us,  and  that 
he  was  about  ready  to  sail,  detached  the  second  battalion  of 
the  regiment  of  Soisonnois,  commanded  by  the  Viscount  de 
Noailles,  and  placed  it  on  Connonicut,  where  he  was  rein- 
forced by  the  American  militia  ; but  the  difficulty  of  holding 
the  island  of  Connonicut,  which  is  accessible  on  all  sides, 
induced  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  to  abandon  it  to  the 
enemy,  and  on  the  27th  of  July  he  ordered  back  the 
battalion. 

The  reports  of  the  intention  of  General  Clinton  to  attack 


20  Connonicut  is  an  island  west  of  Rhode  Island.  There  is  an  old 
fort  on  it,  at  a place  called  the  Dumplings,  opposite  Fort  Adams. 

21  “Adam  Philip,  Count  de  Custine,  born  at  Metz,  in  1710.  He  served 
under  Frederick  the  Great  in  the  Seven  Years’  War.  In  1792,  he  was 
summoned  from  the  command  of  the  army  of  the  Rhine,  to  Paris, 
and  beheaded  in  August,  1793.”  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet, 
p.  75. 


94 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


us  were  confirmed  by  those  which  General  Washington  sent 
to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  who,  in  consequence,  called 
together  the  Rhode  Island  militia,  and  repaired  all  the  works 
thrown  up  by  the  English,  when  they  held  the  island.  He 
has  increased  the  defence  by  adding  new  works  to  those 
already  built,  and  has  opened  roads  to  all  the  landing 
places. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  we  learned  that  the  movements 
with  which  General  Washington  threatened  New  York  have 
caused  Clinton  to  give  up  his  operations  against  us.  General 
Washington  went  to  Pompton,  sixteen  miles  from  Staten 
Island.  General  Clinton  had  embarked  his  troops  in  Hun- 
tington Bay  ; he  had  even  set  sail  and  gone  as  far  as  New 
London,  and  it  was  not  until  then  that  he  changed  his  plans. 

On  the  19th  of  August,  twenty  vessels  could  be  seen 
between  Block  Island  and  Point  Judith,  which  are  supposed 
to  be  an  expedition  of  two  thousand  English  troops  to  the 
main-land  to  forage  for  New  York. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  we  learned  that  there  were  twenty- 
six  English  vessels  off  Martha’s  Vineyard,  and  without  doubt 
they  are  the  same  that  we  saw  on  the  19  th. 

From  the  27th  of  August  to  the  18th  of  September,  no 
events  nor  news  of  any  interest  relieved  our  inactivity.  On 
the  18th  we  had  news  of  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Rodney 
with  ten  ships  off  Sandy  Hook.  We  were  told  of  his  plans 
against  us,  conjointly  with  General  Clinton,  who  they  say 
has  embarked  nine  thousand  five  hundred  men  to  make  a 
descent,  while  Admiral  Rodney  with  twenty-one  ships  of  the 
line  will  force  the  channel  and  engage  our  seven  ships. 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  is  absent.  An  interview  with 
General  Washington  made  him  leave  Newport  on  the  17th 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


95 


for  Hartford,  the  place  where  the  two  Generals  are  to  meet  ; 
and  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  is  in  command  of  the  army. 

He  knows  the  danger  we  are  running  and  all  the  conse- 
quences, but  he  knows  as  well  the  means  of  resistance  we 
have,  and  the  resources  which  we  can  draw  from  our  posi- 
tion and  courage.  He  has  moreover  the  talent  for  per- 
suading men  and  drawing  them  to  his  opinion,  and  I confess 
with  pleasure  that  I give  him  all  the  rights  to  mine.  On 
the  19th  of  this  month,  he  had  decided  upon  the  line  of  bat- 
tle on  which  our  squadron  should  fight.  He  rests  his  right 
on  Rose  Island,22  where  he  has  thrown  up  a battery  of 
forty  pieces  of  artillery,  thirty-six  twenty-four  and  twelve 
pounders  ; and  the  left  of  our  seven  ships,  with  broadsides 
on,  is  protected  by  the  battery  built  at  Brenton’s  Point,23 
and  composed  of  eight  twenty-four  pounders  and  four 
twelve-inch  mortars.  Four  other  eight-inch  mortars  and 
four  twenty-four  pounders  are  intended  to  open  on  the 
enemy  when  he  is  fairly  in  the  channel. 

Such  is  the  position  in  which  our  vessels  await  the  attack 
of  the  enemy.  It  is  possible  that  they  will  be  defeated; 
numbers  can  overpower  them  ; but  it  is  on  the  most  perilous 
occasions  that  great  courage  shows  itself.  Glory  is  in  pro- 
portion to  the  danger  which  is  run  ; and  when  there  is  nothing 
to  be  gained  over  an  enemy,  when  there  is  nevertheless 
the  resource  of  a noble  defence,  there  should  be  no  hesi- 
tation to  decide  to  make  it, — to  sacrifice  one’s  self  even,  if  it 
is  necessary.  One  can  gain  glory  by  defeat  ; the  tears  that 


22  Rose  Island  is  in  the  outer  hay,  between  Newport  and  Connoni- 
cut. 

23  Brenton’s  Point  is  the  south- west  point  of  Rhode  Island,  in  New- 
port. 


96 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


the  enemy  will  shed  over  his  victory  will  be  homage  rendered 
to  us,  and  which  posterity  will  count  perhaps  for  laurels. 

From  the  1 8th  to  the  30th  of  September,  we  have  con- 
tinually been  employed  in  perfecting  our  defences  ; thus  far 
we  have  been  living  in  the  hope  of  seeing  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  of  the  Count  de  Guichcn,  which,  as  we  all  think,  ought 
to  be  pursuing  Admiral  Rodney.  We  have  been  disabused 
of  this  idea  by  the  arrival-  of  the  frigate  “ Gentille,”  coming 
from  Cape  François.  She  has  informed  us  of  the  departure 
of  M.  de  Guichen  from  the  West  Indies,  escorting  a large 
convoy  which  they  think  he  will  take  to  France.  The  “ Gen- 
tille ” arrived  on  the  30th*  and  had  on  board  M.  de  Choisy 
and  nine  French  officers,  among  whom  was  Captain  de 
Tlmillières,  of  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts. 

Rodney  having  undertaken  nothing  during  the  first  fort- 
night since  his  arrival,  it  was  almost  certain  that  he  would 
undertake  nothing  more.  He  has  lost  every  advantage  by 
delays  ; and  about  the  4th  or  5th  of  October,  we  were  con- 
vinced that  we  should  not  be  attacked,  and  that  the  object  of 
Admiral  Rodney  was  rather  to  repair  his  ships,  which  had  been 
considerably  damaged  by  the  fights  that  he  had  had  to  main- 
tain against  M.  de  Guichen,  than  to  attack  us.  We  then  de- 
spaired of  giving  up  our  inactivity,  and  began  to  be  busy  about 

* On  the  same  day  we  learned  the  news  of  the  infamous  treason  of 
General  Arnold,  and  we  learn  at  the  same  time  that  Major  André,  con- 
fidential aide-de-camp  to  General  Clinton,  was  arrested  in  disguise  by 
some  soldiers 24  of  the  American  militia,  and  that  he  had  been  en- 
trusted by  Clinton  to  treat  with  Arnold. 


24  The  captors  of  André  were  John  Paulding,  David  Williams,  and 
Isaac  Van  Wart,  each  of  whom  afterwards  received  a handsome  pen- 
sion and  a silver  medal  from  Congress.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
large  sums  of  money  were  offered  to  them  by  André  for  his  release, 
but  they  remained  true  to  their  country. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


97 


our  winter  quarters.  Men  worked  in  numbers  on  repairing 
and  fitting  up  houses  intended  to  be  used  as  barracks  ; and 
the  Count  de  Rochambeau  has  fixed  upon  the  end  of  the 
month  for  breaking  up  the  camp  and  going  into  Newport. 

On  the  2 8th  of  October,  the  frigates  “ Amazone,”  “ Surveil- 
lante” and  “Hermione”  sailed;  the  first  goes  to  France, 
and  takes  on  board  Viscount  Rochambeau;25  and  the  other 
two  are  going  to  cruise  I know  not  where. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  left 
its  camp  and  took  up  its  winter  quarters  in  the  town  of  New- 
port; it  was  followed  on  the  1st  of  November  by  the  brigade 
of  Soisonnois. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  two  squadrons  of  hussars  of 
the  legion  of  Lauzun  left  Newport  to  take  up  their  quarters 
at  Lebanon  in  the  State  of  Connecticut.26 

25  This  was  a son  of  the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  at  this  time  a Colonel 
in  the  French  army,  who  was  sent  to  France  with  despatches  con- 
taining the  residt  of  the  conference  at  Hartford  (alluded  to  p.  95), 
and  particularly  a memoir  setting  forth  the  wants  of  the  Amer- 
icans in  men,  ships,  and  money.  In  case  the  vessel  should  be  in  dan- 
ger of  capture,  Colonel  Rochambeau  was  instructed  to  sink  his  papers, 
and  make  a verbal  communication  of  their  contents  to  the  ministers. 
M.  de  Le  Peyrouse  commanded  the  “ Amazone,”  and  in  order  to  escape 
the  British  fleet  then  blockading  the  harbor  of  Newport,  he  put  to  sea 
in  a violent  gale  of  wind.  He  was  chased  by  English  cruisers,  and 
his  vessel  dismasted,  but  luckily  not  until  he  was  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  enemy.  The  other  two  frigates,  that  passed  with  the  “ Amazone  ” 
through  the  British  squadron,  were  bound  to  Boston.  Rochambeau’s 
Mémoires,  p.  256.  Colonel  Rochambeau  returned  from  France  in 
the  frigate  “ Concorde,”  which  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  6th  of  May, 
of  the  succeeding  year.  See  p.  108. 

26  The  Duke  de  Lauzun’s  legion  was  cantoned  at  Lebanon,  not  far 
from  the  residence  of  Governor  Trumbull,  where  a supply  of  forage 
could  be  easily  obtained.  Sparks’s  Washington , vii.  319.  Barber,  in 
his  Connecticut  Historical  Collections,  says  that  the  encampment  was 
a little  west  of  the  church.  The  Count  de  Rochambeau  speaks  of  this 


- 


98  MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 

On  the  15th  of  December,  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  com- 
mander of  the  squadron,  died,  and  his  loss  occasioned  no 
regrets.  M.  Destouches,  the  senior  captain  of  the  squadron, 
took  command,  and  has  the  confidence  of  all  in  his  favor. 

The  squadron  has  orders  to  hold  itself  in  readiness  to 
sail.  Four  ships  of  the  line  apparently  are  going  to  sail  at 
once,  to  go  before  the  frigates  “ Surveillante  ” and  “ Her? 
mione,”  now  at  Boston,  whither  they  went  after  their 
cruise,  and  which  are  going  to  return  soon  to  Rhode  Island. 


town  as  la  Banora,  where  the  State  of  Connecticut  had  put  up  some 
barracks  for  its  militia.  Mémoires,  i.  259. 

27  He  was  buried  in  Trinity  church-yard  at  Newport,  with  distin- 
guished honors. 


CAMPAIGN  OF  THE  YEAR  1781. 


On  the  20th  of  January,  the  ships  of  the  line  “Eveillé” 
and  “ Ardent,”  and  the  frigate  “ Gentille  ” sailed  to  insure 
the  safe  return  of  the  frigates  “ Surveillante  ” and  “ Her- 
mione  ” ; they  experienced  very  bad  weather  and  came  back 
the  next  day,  on  the  21st. 

On  the  night  of  the  22d-23d,  there  was  quite  a gale, 
and  an  English  man-of-war  was  driven  ashore  at  Montauk 
Point.  Another  ship  was  dismasted.  On  the  26th,  our  two 
frigates  came  in  with  the  transport  “'Isle  de  France.” 
These  vessels  have  suffered  somewhat  from  the  bad 
weather. 

The  English  man-of-war  lost  in  the  last  gale  was  the 
“ Culloden,”  of  74  guns,  and  the  ship  of  the  line  dismasted 
was  the  “ Bedford,”  of  the  same  force.  The  enemy  stationed 
at  Gardner’s  Bay,  and  knowing  that  we  expected  two  fri- 
gates, sent  out  three  ships  of  the  line  to  intercept  their  re- 
turn, and  it  was  this  cruise  which  was  so  disastrous. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  at  seven  o’clock  in  the  evening, 
the  ship  of  the  line  “ Eveillé,”  the  frigates  “ Surveillante  ” 
and  “ Gentille,”  and  the  cutter  “ Guêpe  ” set  sail.  No  one 
knows  their  destination,  but  every  one  thinks  that  they  are 
going  to  the  James  River  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  to  destroy 
the  transports  of  Arnold,  who  has  landed  fifteen  hundred 
men,  and  to  fight  a ship  of  the  line  of  50  guns  and  two 
frigates  which  form  his  escort,  and  which  are  in  position 
to  support  him. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  at  three  o’clock  in  the  after- 
noon, four  sails  were  signalized,  and  at  six  o’clock  in  the 
13 


100 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


evening,  the  “ Eveillé,”  the  “ Surveillante,”  and  the  “ Gen- 
tille” came  in,  bringing  with  them  the  “Romulus,”  an  Eng- 
lish ship  of  44  guns,  and  pierced  for  54,  which  the  “ Eveillé  ” 
took  off  Cape  Henry.98  The  object  that  the  “ Eveillé  ” had 
was  the  destruction  of  Arnold’s  ships,  but  she  drew  too  much 
water,  and  could  not  get  up  the  James  River  far  enough  to 
enter  the  Elizabeth  River,  which  runs  into  the  James,  and 
where  the  whole  English  fleet  is  anchored.  The  “ Eveillé  ” 
was  obliged  to  give  up  the  attack  on  the  “ Charon”  ",  of  50 
guns,  and  on  the  two  frigates  that  are  there,  and  which 
had  to  lighten  themselves  to  get  in. 

The  “ Surveillante,”  which  was  a little  too  far  in  advance, 
was  aground  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  was  obliged  to  be 
lightened  of  her  cannon  in  order  to  get  afloat.  The  expe- 
dition of  the  “ Eveillé  ” to  Chesapeake  Bay  was  limited  to 
taking  three  privateers  and  six  brigs  or  snows.  The  small 
vessels  were  burnt  and  the  privateers  taken  to  Yorktown. 
From  the  impossibility  of  beginning  other  enterprises,  M. 
de  Tilly 30  determined  to  return,  and,  while  heading  for 

2S  “ Iu  1781,  the  Chevalier  Destouches  sent  a part  of  his  fleet  from 
Boston  to  the  Chesapeake,  under  M.  de  Tilly,  who  captured  the  Ro- 
mulus, 44  guns,  and  several  transports,  but  most  of  the  enemy’s 
vessels  ran  up  to  Portsmouth.”  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet, 

p.  17. 

29  This  vessel  was  afterwards  burned  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown.” 
“ In  the  evening  the  Charon  frigate  of  forty-four  guns  was  set  on  lire 
by  a hot  shot  fired  from  the  French  battery  on  the  left,  and  entirely 
consumed.”  Sparks’s  Washington,  viii.  177. 

30  “ Chevalier  Le  Gardeur  de  Tilly  was  apparently  a Canadian  of  the 
Tilly  branch  of  the  family  of  Le  Gardeur.  The  M.  de  St.  Pierre,  whom 
Washington  met  on  the  Ohio  in  1753,  was  of  the  other  branch,  the  Le 
Gardeur  de  Eepentigny.  Le  Gardeur  de  Tilly  had,  in  1781,  pursued 
Arnold  in  the  Chesapeake,  taken  the  Romulus,  44,  and  several  trans- 
ports. In  1789,  he  was  commandant  of  the  eighth  squadron,  at  Roche- 
fort, and  commodore.”  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet,  p.  112. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


101 


Rhode  Island,  discovered  a vessel  and  gave  chase.  " The  vessel, 
taking'  the  pursuing  ships  for  some  of  her  own  nation,  did  not 
attempt  to  escape  until  the  moment  when  she  made  reconnoi- 
tring signals,  to  which  no  reply  was  made.  The  “ Eveillé  ” 
soon  came  up  with  her  and  presented  to  her  a broadside 
within  pistol  shot.  The  “ Gentille  ” came  up  on  the  quarter, 
and  in  that  position  it  was  shouted  to  her  to  haul  down  her 
flag  : she  hauled  down  her  flag  ; and  it  was  shouted  to  her  to 
haul  down  her  pennant  ; and  she  hauled  down  her  pennant. 
In  short,  the  “ Romulus  ” surrendered  to  the  “ Eveillé,” 
without  firing  a single  shot.  If  one  cannot  commend  her 
courage,  he  can  at  least  consider  her  docility  extreme.  M. 
de  Tilly  manned  his  prize,  and  without  losing  time  sailed 
for  Rhode  Island.  Great  rejoicings  at  Newport,  — but  we 
are  very  anxious  about  the  cutter  “ Guêpe,”  which  left  at 
the  same  time  with  M.  de  Tilly,  but  got  separated  the  day 
after  his  departure,  and  of  whicli  we  have  no  news.  The 
Chevalier  de  Maulevrier,  who  commands  this  cntter  and  who 
joins  to  many  amiable  qualities  all  those  of  his  profession, 
is  the  special  object  of  our  anxieties. 

On  the  27th  of  February,  we  received  the  news  of  the 
arrival  of  the  frigate  “ Astrée  ” at  Boston.  She  sailed  from 
Brest  and  made  a passage  of  sixty-three  days. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  General  Washington  arrived  at 
Newport,  and  was  received  with  all  the  honors  due  to  a 
Marshal  of  France.  31 

On  the  8th  of  March,  the  whole  of  our  squadron,  com- 
posed of  the  “ Duc  de  Bourgogne,”  the  “ Neptune,”  the  “Con- 

31  While  this  statement  proves  nothing  in  regard  to  the  fact,  it  is 
interesting  in  connection  with  the  question  often  raised,  whether 
Washington  was  a Marshal  of  France.  See  Historical  Magazine,  iii. 
83,  126,  159,  280;  also  new  series,  iii.  171. 


102 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


querant,”  the  “ Eveillé/’  the  “ Jason/’  the  “ Provence/’  the 
“ Ardent/’  the  “ Romulus/’  the  frigates  “ Surveillante  ” and 
“ Hermione,”  and  of  the  “ Fantasque  ” 32  armed  in  flute, 
set  sail  at  six  o’clock  in  the  evening.  There  were  on  board 
four  companies  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs,  a detachment 
of  a hundred  and  sixty-four  men  from  each  of  our  regiments, 
and  a hundred  artillerymen,  — making  in  all  1,156  men. 
There  were  put  on  board  some  pieces  of  artillery  — sixteen- 
pounders  and  twelve-pounders,  some  howitzers,  some  field 
pieces  — and  everything  necessary  to  attack  intrenchments. 
We  think  it  is  the  intention  to  attack  Arnold,  conjointly 
with  1,500  men  of  the  American  army,  commanded  by  the 
Marquis  de  Lafayette,  and  with  all  the  militia  of  Virginia. 
The  Baron  Viomesnil  commands  the  expedition,  and  the 
Marquis  de  Laval,  the  Viscount  de  Noailles,  and  MM.  d’An- 
selme and  de  Gambs,  are  the  higher  officers  under  his 
orders. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  at  eleven  o’clock  in  the  forenoon, 
the  English  squadron  set  sail  from  Gardner’s  Bay,  and  we 
can  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  to  pursue  ours.  The  circum- 
stances of  their  departure  prove  their  activity.  Arbuthnot 
knowing  our  preparations,  sent  a ship  of  the  line  and  a 
frigate  to  reconnoitre;  these  appeared  on  the  9th  off  the 
entrance  to  the  harbor  of  Rhode  Island,  approached  quite 
near,  lay  to,  and  remained  there  long  enough  to  find  out 
certainly  whether  or  not  there  were  in  our  roads  any  vessels 
of  war.  Convinced  of  what  they  wanted  to  know,  these 
two  vessels  tacked  ship,  set  all  sails,  and  steered  for  Gard- 


32  “La  Fantasque  serving  as  an  hospital  ship.”  — Bliode  Island 
Colonial  Becords,  ix.  159.  An  armed  ship,  with  her  guns  in  part  taken 
out,  is  said  to  be  armed  in  flute. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


103 


ner’s  Bay.  They  arrived  within  sight  of  their  squadron  the 
next  day  morning,  and  as  far  off  as  they  could  be  seen 
they  made  the  signals  agreed  upon,  at  which  the  enemy  im- 
mediately set  sail.  Their  squadron  is  composed  * of  eleven 
sails,  — eight  ships  of  the  line  and  three  frigates. 

General  Washington  left  Newport  on  the  13th  of  March, 
and  they  gave  him  the  same  honors  on  leaving  that  he  had 
on  his  arrival. 

We  feel  sure  that  the  English  squadron,  sailing  forty  hours 
after  ours,  cannot  overtake  it  and  prevent  its  entrance  into 
Chesapeake  Bay,  and  this  supposition  necessarily  carries 
with  it  the  hope  that  the  expedition  planned  against  Arnold 
Avili  be  successful.  We  expect  that  the  enemy  will  want  to 
avenge  himself  on  us  and  will  try  to  enter,  and  to  burn  our 
transports.  Even  if  this  succeeded,  the  damage  to  us  will 
be  but  little  consolation  for  the  losses  which  we  liave  in- 
flicted on  him  in  Virginia.  We  are  increasing  the  entrench- 
ments of  all  our  batteries,  and  particularly  those  of  Goat 
Island,33  in  order  to  make  a determined  resistance. 

On  the  26th  of  March,  they  came  while  Ave  were  at  dinner 
to  tell  us  that  several  vessels  of  war  were  signalized,  that 
the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  to  whom  this  had  been  reported, 
was  getting  on  his  horse  to  go  to  the  signal  station,  that  the 
artillery  had  been  ordered  to  the  batteries,  that  the  gren- 
adiers and  detachments  detailed  for  the  defence  of  Goat 


* Our  fleet  set  sail  in  tlie  firm  conviction  that  the  English  ship 
“Bedford,”  dismasted  in  the  gale  of  the  22d-23d  of  January,  Avas 
not  in  condition  to  sail  ; it  is  certain  however  that  she  is  now  one  of 
their  squadron. 


33  Goat  Island  is  in  front  of  the  town  of  Newport,  and  divides  the 
inner  from  the  outer  harbor. 


104 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


Island  were  holding  themselves  in  readiness  to  he  taken 
there,  and  that  everything  in  general  was  preparing  to  go  to 
the  posts  assigned  in  advance  by  the  General.  We  imme- 
diately jumped  up  from  our  dinner,  and  followed  the  Gen- 
eral ; we  did  sec  in  fact  the  sails  making  straight  for  Rhode 
Island,  but  it  was  impossible  to  make  out  whether  they  were 
friends  or  foes.  We  remained  nearly  an  hour  in  uncertainty 
when  we  recognized  our  own  squadron,  which  entered  New- 
port harbor  the  same  evening,  and  informed  us  that,  kept 
back  by  bad  weather,  head  winds,  and  perhaps  by  an  im- 
perfect knowledge  of  the  prevailing  winds  along  the  coast, 
they  could  not  reach  Cape  Charles  before  the  14th  of  March 
(having  left  Newport  on  the  8th),  that  a north-west  wind 
compelled  them  to  cruise  for  two  days,  and  that  on  the  16th, 
in  the  morning,  the  wind  shifted.  I give  here  the  details  of 
the  fight  of  the  same  day  between  the  two  squadrons. 

On  Friday,  the  16th  of  March,  about  twelve  leagues  to  the 
east  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  the  King’s  fleet  under  the  orders 
of  M.  Destouches  was  sailing  in  close  order,  the  Cape  bearing 
north,  on  port  tack,  the  wind  inclined  to  the  south-east,  the 
sea  heavy  and  the  weather  very  foggy.  At  half-past  six  in 
the  morning,  the  frigate  “ Ilermione  ” signalized  a sail  to  the 
windward,  which  she  received  orders  to  go  and  reconnoitre 
with  the  “ Eveillé.”  Some  time  afterwards  the  flute  “ Fan- 
tasque,” having  discovered  ten  other  sails  far  to  the  south- 
ward, signalized  the  information.  The  flag-ship  at  once  gave 
orders  to  stow  hammocks  and  to  take  the  line  of  battle  on 
port  tack.  During  the  execution  of  this  order  the  wind 
gradually  shifted  to  the  north,  then  to  the  north-north-east, 
and  then  steadied  to  the  north-east.  This  put  the  French 
squadron  to  the  windward  of  the  English,  at  a distance  of  three 
leagues.  It  had  been  forced  to  follow  the  wind  as  it  kept 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


105 


shifting,  and  when  the  fog  had  lifted  a little  it  reappeared 
on  the  starboard  quarter,  bearing,  as  well  as  our  ships,  east 
to  south-east. 

At  nine  o’clock  they  made  signals  to  the  “ Fantasque  ” to 
hug  the  wind  and  to  cany  sail,  and  to  the  whole  squadron 
to  tack  ship  in  succession.  The  wind  began  to  blow  strong 
and  the  general  sails  carried  were  foresails  and  topsails. 
The  “ Ardent  ” and  “ Eveillé  ” carried  away  their  main- 
yards,  and  our  ships  had  scarcely  ended  the  commanded 
manœuvre  when  the  enemy’s  squadron  took  the  same  tack, 
keeping  as  close  to  the  wind  as  possible,  with  a good  deal 
of  sail.  The  inequality  of  the  speed  in  the  enemy’s  ships 
separated  them  into  two  divisions,  while  the  French  squad- 
ron always  in  starboard  line  was  close  reefing.  The  Eng- 
lish frigates  and  some  of  their  leading  ships  were  carrying 
their  fore  and  main  top-gallant  sails.  Towards  eleven 
o’clock  they  gained  sensibly  upon  the  rear  ship  of  the  French 
fleet.  M.  Destouches  then  tacked  ship,  running  in  battle  array 
on  the  other  tack.  The  French  line  was  very  regularly 
formed,  and  the  first  ships  of  the  enemy  at  once  took  in  sail 
and  bore  up  two  points.  Their  Admiral  soon  rallied  them, 
continuing  always  on  the  same  tack,  in  hugging  the  wind  ; 
and  the  two  lines  stretched  themselves  out  to  the  range  of 
the  great  guns.  At  half-past  twelve,  the  enemy  who  were 
carrying  much  more  sail  than  the  French  ships,  found  them- 
selves able  to  tack  ship  in  the  waters  of  the  French  squadron, 
which  did  not  increase  its  sail  ; and  at  one  o’clock  the  lead- 
ing ship  of  the  English  line  was  within  short  range  of  the 
rear  French  ship.  The  sea  was  heavy,  it  blew  quite  fresh, 
and  some  of  the  leeward  batteries  were  almost  under  water. 
M.  Destouches  decided  to  wear  ship  in  succession  in  order  to 
attack  to  the  leeward.  This  movement  ivas  promptly  ese- 


106 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


cuted  ; the  leading  ships  had  orders  to  come  up  four  points. 
The  English  saw  that  their  superiority  was  useless,  if  they 
fought  with  the  wind  abeam.  Their  leading  ship  bore  up 
consequently  for  the  “ Conquérant  ” on  the  same  tack.  It 
was  half-past  one  o’clock,  and  the  respective  ships  of  the  line 
began  then  to  fire  very  near.  The  cannonading  became  hot 
in  proportion  as  they  came  into  the  waters  of  their  leaders. 
The  “ Conquérant,”  the  leading  vessel  which  had  fought  for 
half  an  hour  when  the  last  French  ship  began  to  fight  against 
the  fifth  in  the  English  line,  had  already  suffered  much  in 
her  sails  and  rigging.  She  fell  to  the  leeward  and  was  at- 
tacked by  several  large  ships,  against  which  she  kept  up  a 
continuous  fire.  The  ‘‘Duc  de  Bourgogne”  and  the  “Nep- 
tune ” came  up  to  defend  her.  This  movement  necessarily 
doubled  the  line  for  some  minutes.  The  English  wished  to 
take  advantage  of  these  circumstances  to  crush  the  rear 
French  ship.  The  “ London  ” steered  with  the  wind  on  the 
quarter,  and  two  other  ships  held  themselves  astern  within 
reach  of  musketry;  happily  they  let  slip  the  moment  of 
dividing  us.  The  “ Duc  de  Bourgogne  ” and  the  “ Conqué- 
rant ” kept  up  a very  severe  fire  upon  them,  which  only  left 
them  time  to  fall  off  in  sending  two  broadsides  with  scarcely 
any  effect;  in  regard  to  the  “ London,”  as  soon  as  she  could 
come  abreast,  she  received  scarcely  some  broadsides  and 
rallied  to  the  windward  of  her  squadron,  having  lost  her 
main-top  yard.  The  last  firing  stopped  about  three  o’clock. 
It  was  then  distinctly  seen  that  two  of  the  enemy’s  ships  of 
the  line  had  been  very  roughly  handled.  M.  Destouches  made 
a signal  to  re-establish  the  line,  but  the  “ Conquérant”  replied 
that  she  could  not  begin  a fight  again;  then  the  Admiral 
indicated  the  course  to  the  south-east  under  little  sail.  The 
enemy  lay  to  in  order  to  make  repairs  ; at  five  o’clock 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


107 


he  was  seen  bearing  off  to  the  west.  The  next  day  the  ves- 
sels of  the  French  squadron  took  different  directions  and 
passed  the  afternoon  in  lying  to.  The  “ Conquérant  ” made 
repairs  ; the  other  ships  had  suffered  but  little.  On  Sun- 
day the  18th  we  chased  a large  vessel,  which  was  taken 
and  manned  by  the  “ Hermione.”  The  fight  was  a sharp 
one,  well-conducted,  and  reflected  credit  on  the  French 
navy,  but  the  object  failed,  and  glory  is  only  a chimera  when 
it  does  not  offer  practical  results.  The  “ Conquérant,”  the 
“Ardent,”  and  the  “Jason”  are  the  three  ships  of  the  line 
that  fought  the  hardest,  and  MM.  de  la  Grandière,34  do 
Marigny,  and  de  la  Clocheterie,35  the  three  captains36  who 
were  able  to  show  the  most  their  bravery  and  skill.  . The 
English  squadron  was  composed  of  eight  ships  of  the  line  — 
one  of  98  guns,  three  of  74,  three  of  64,  and  one  of  50. 
The  French  squadron  was  composed  of  a ship  of  the  line 
of  80  guns,  two  of  74,  four  of  64,  and  one  of  44.  The 


34  “ Charles  Marie,  Count  de  la  Grandière,  was  born  at  Brest  in 
1729.  After  43  years’  service,  28  at  sea,  he  was  made  Commodore, 
August  20,  1784.  He  had  then  been  present  in  eleven  naval  engage- 
ments. He  became  rear-admiral  in  1792,  and  died  at  Bennes  in  1812.” 
Operations  of  the  French  Fleet,  p.  113. 

35  “ Chadeau  de  la  Clocheterie,  killed  in  this  last'action  [April  12th, 
1782]  of  the  war,  was  a highly  distinguished  officer,  and  opened  the 
war  in  the  Belle  Poule  by  his  brilliant  action  with  the  Arethusa, 
Marshall,  in  the  face  of  an  English  fleet.  He  commanded  the  Jason, 
64,  in  the  fleet  of  De  Ternay,  which  brought  out  Rochambeau  ; and  iu 
the  skirmish  with  Commodore  Cornwallis  would  have  taken  the 
Ruby,  but  for  De  Ternay’s  excessive  prudence.”  Operations  of  the 
French  Fleet,  p.  113. 

36  “ The  ‘Conquérant,’  commanded  by  M.  de  la  Grandière,  the 
‘Jason,’  and  the  ‘Ardent,’  by  MM.  de  Marigny  and  la  Clocheterie 
were  the  vessels  that  distinguished  themselves.”  Rochambeau’s  Mé- 
moires, i.  265. 

14 


108 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


enemy  was  superior,  but  can  boast  of  no  advantage  ; but 
the  parties  gave  as  good  as  they  took. 

On  the  13th  of  April,  we  learned  that  the  cutter  “ Guêpe,” 
from  which  we  had  not  heard  since  she  parted  with  the 
“ Eveillé,”  was  lost  off  Cape  Charles,  but  that  the  Chevalier  de 
Maulevrier  [her  commander]  and  all  her  crew  were  saved. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  all  the  transports,  chartered  at  the 
expense  of  the  King,  which  had  carried  our  troops,  set 
sail  for  St.  Domingo,  under  the  escort  of  the  frigates  “Sur- 
veillante ” and  “ Hermione.”  The  latter  is  to  leave  the  con- 
voy off  the  mouth  of  the  Delaware  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  but 
the  “ Surveillante  ” will  accompany  it  to  its  destination. 

On  the  6th  of  May,  the  frigate  “ Concorde  ” arrived  from 
France  at  Boston,  after  a passage  of  forty  odd  days.  She 
had  on  board  the  Count  de  Barras,37  commander  of  the  squad- 
ron, who  is  to  take  the  place  of  the  Chevalier  de  Ternay, 
and  the  Viscount  de  Rochambeau. 

On  the  1 8th  of  May,  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men,  drawn 
by  detachments  from  the  regiments,  from  the  artillery,  and 
from  the  legion  of  Lauzun,  were  embarked  on  our  eight 
vessels  of  war.  It  is  thought  that  the  squadron  has  asked 
for  these  troops,  for  the  cruise  which  it  is  going  to  make, 
to  protect  the  arrival  of  the  convoy  which  we  expect  from 
France. 

On  the  same  day,  an  English  fleet  was  signalized,  which 
anchored  between  Block  Island  and  Point  Judith.  There 
were  nine  vessels,  all  ships  of  the  line. 


37  “Louis,  Count  de  Barras  St.  Laurent,  born  in  Provence,  had 
served  long  in  the  French  navy,  but  his  chief  services  were  those  in 
America.  He  was  a particular  friend  of  the  Count  d’Estaing,  and 
commanded  his  vanguard  when  he  forced  the  entrance  of  Newport.’ 
Operations  of  the  French  Fleet , p.  67. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


109 


On  the  22 d of  May,  a small  convoy  of  sis  vessels,  which  we 
were  expecting  from  Boston,  appeared  and  was  signalized  off 
Bedford.  M.  de  Barras,  as  soon  as  he  heard  the  news,  deter- 
mined to  get  under  way  and  save  this  small  convoy,  which 
it  would  have  been  shameful  to  allow  to  be  taken  within 
sight.  He  made  the  signal  to  the  squadron  to  hold  itself  in 
readiness  to  sail  ; but  the  wind  being  directly  ahead  for  the 
English,  while  it  favored  us,  it  became  useless  to  carry  out 
the  project  of  M.  de  Barras,  who,  it  seems  to  me,  will  en- 
deavor in  all  cases,  to  uphold  vigorously  the  honor  of  the 
French  navy. 

The  English,  stationed  since  the  1 8th  of  May  between 
Block  Island  and  Point  Judith,  left  their  position  on  the 
23d  of  May,  and  it  is  not  known  where  they  are  going. 

On  the  5th  of  June,  our  troops  who  embarked  on  board 
of  the  squadron  [on  the  18th  ult.]  were  debarked. 

The  whole  month  of  May  and  the  beginning  of  June  had 
been  occupied  in  preparations  for  the  departure  of  the 
French  troops  from  the  island  of  Rhode  Island,  for  carrying 
all  the  magazines  to  Providence  and  Hartford,  in  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  marches  and  camps,  in  buying  horses  for  the 
artillery  and  oxen  for  the  wagons,  and  in  the  disposition  for 
commissary  stores  and  forage. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  and  the 
Chevalier  de  Chastellux  set  out  from  Newport  to  go  to 
Wethersfield,  near  Hartford,  to  see  General  Washington, 
with  whom  they  had  a rendezvous. 

Our  generals  came  back  on  the  26th,  and  from  the  mo- 
ment of  their  return,  all  the  preparations  were  redoubled 
in  activity;  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  and  M.  de  Barras 
held  several  conferences  together.  It  seemed  decided  that 


no 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


our  squadron  should  leave  Newport  harbor  at  the  same 
time  that  we  abandoned  the  ports  there,  that  it  should  go 
to  Boston,  where  it  would  be  in  greater  safety  from  any 
attack  than  at  Rhode  Island,  where  it  would  be  exposed  as 
soon  as  it  should  no  longer  be  supported  by  land  forces  in 
considerable  number.  This  resolution,  with  which  the  gen- 
erals even  seemed  to  agree,  was  followed  by  a moment  of 
indecision.  M.  de  Rochambeau  was  of  the  opinion  that  the 
squadron  ought  to  remain  at  Rhode  Island,  while  M.  de 
Barras  thought  that  it  ought  to  go  to  Boston.  It  was  essen- 
tial, however,  to  unite  opinions,  to  act  in  concert,  and  to 
follow  a fixed  purpose.  To  end  this  indecision  and  discus- 
sion, there  assembled  on  the  31st  of  May,  on  board  of  the 
“ Duc  de  Bourgogne,”  a council  of  war,38  made  up  of  M.  de 
Barras  and  the  captains  of  the  ships  of  the  line  on  the  one 
part,  and  of  our  generals,  brigadiers,  and  brigade  commanders 
on  the  other.  The  session  lasted  five  hours,  and  the  de- 
cisions were  kept  secret.  The  Duke  de  Lauzun  was  charged 
with  taking  them  to  General  Washington,  at  New  Windsor.  ■ 
Two  days  after,  it  was  remarked  that  the  squadron  was  no 
longer  making  preparations  to  leave,  and  it  was  felt  that  the 
intention  was  to  remain  at  Rhode  Island,  and  to  have  it  pro- 


aa  “ I proposed  to  Admiral  Barras  to  hold  a council  of  war,  com- 
posed of  the  general  and  superior  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  a 
plan  which  was  indicated  in  our  instructions  whenever  circumstances 
should  require.  M.  de  Barras  having  accepted  the  proposition,  it 
was  discussed,  whether,  considering  the  weakness  of  the  garrison 
in  New  York  from  the  different  detachments  sent  to  the  South,  the 
French  squadron  could  remain  in  the  harbor  of  Rhode  Island  after 
the  departure  of  the  French  army,  with  a detachment  of  five  hun- 
dred [French]  men,  under  M.  c Choisy,  and  a thousand  of  American 
militia,  to  occupy  the  forts,  'ch  would  protect  its  anchorage.” 
Rochambeau’s  Mémoires,  i.  27.' 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


Ill 


tected  from  the  land  side  by  four  hundred  men,  taken  by 
detachments  from  our  four  regiments,  and  to  join  with  them 
fifteen  hundred  of  the  American  militia,  the  whole  under  the 
command  of  M.  de  Choisy.39  The  Duc  de  Lauzun  returned 
from  New  Windsor  on  the  8th  of  June,  with  the  answer  of 
General  Washington;  and  two  hours  after,  the  same  persons 
who  had  made  up  the  first  council  of  war  assembled  again  on 
board  of  the  “Neptune,”  and  came,  after  a session  of  four 
hours,  on  board  of  the  “ Duc  de  Bourgogne,”  whei'e  M.  de 
Barras  had  invited  us  to  a grand  dinner.  On  the  next  day, 
the  9th  of  June,  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois 40  received 
orders  to  embark  with  arms  and  baggage  upon  small  Ameri- 
can boats,  which  took  us  to  Providence. 

On  the  10th  of  June,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  the 
brigade  of  Bourbonnois  embarked  upon  the  little  boats  that 
were  awaiting  them,  and  only  reached  Providence  at  nine 
o’clock  in  the  evening.  It  was  impossible  the  same  evening 
to  lay  out  the  camp,  to  pitch  the  tents,  and  to  get  the  neces- 
sary straw  and  wood.  The  Baron  de  Tiomesnil  got  for 
that  night,  from  the  town  authorities,  some  large  empty 
houses,  where  he  lodged  the  soldiers  ; and  the  next  day, 
the  11th,  at  six  o’clock  in  the  morning,  we  encamped  upon 


39  “M.  de  Choisy,  brigadier  of  the  forces,  an  officer  distinguished  for 
his  great  valor,  was  appointed  to  protect  the  anchorage  of  the  squad- 
ron with  a detachment  of  only  five  hundred  men  and  one  hundred 
American  militia.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut-.général  M.  Dumas,  i.  67. 

40 1 infer  that  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  was  made  up  of  the 
regiments  of  Bourbonnois,  and  of  Royal  Deuxponts,  from  the  fact  that 
these  regiments  generally  kept  together  ; and  at  the  siege  of  York- 
town,  according  to  contemporaneous  mapSj  they  encamped  side  by 
side  ; and,  for  the  same  reasons,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  brigade 
of  Soisonnois  was  made  up  of  the  regiments  of  Soisonnois  and  of 
St.  Onge. 


112 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


the  height  which  commands  Providence  on  the  west.  The 
brigade  of  Soisonnois  arrived  the  same  day  and  encamped 
on  our  left. 

The  King’s  squadron  remains  definitely  at  Newport.  It 
is  guarded  by  four  hundred  men  of  our  troops,  and  the 
American  militia,41  who  come  in  very  slowly,  and  whose 
term  of  enlistment,  so  they  say,  is  very  short.  We  shall 
remain  eight  days  in  camp  at  Providence  ; and  this  time  is 
necessary  for  us  to  collect  horses  for  the  artillery  and  the 
ambulances,  wagons  to  carry  our  baggage,  oxen  to  draw 
them,  and  to  await  four  hundred  and  fifty  men  for  our  army, 
who  have  just  arrived  at  Boston  upon  the  convoy  coming 
from  France.42 

From  Providence  they  tell  us  that  we  ought  to  go  in  four- 
teen days  to  the  Hudson  River,  of  which  twelve  will  be  of 
march  and  two  of  rest,  where  we  shall  await  new  orders. 
The  march  thither,  as  it  is  not  near  the  enemy,  for 
greater  convenience  will  be  made  regiment  by  regiment. 


41  “General  Washington  seeing  the  great  diminution  of  our  little 
army,  and  of  the  squadron  enfeebled  by  sickness,  authorized  me  to 
make  a requisition  for  the  militia  of  the  State  of  Boston  [!]  and  of 
Rhode  Island,  to  aid  me  in  the  works  and  the  defence  of  the  island.” 
Rochambeau’s  Mémoires , i.  245.  It  is  a curious  fact  that  “ the  name 
of  Bostonian,  which  belongs  only  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Province 
of  Massachusetts,  one  of  the  four  which  form  New  England  proper, 
has  nevertheless  become  the  general  and  common  name  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  thirteen  Provinces.”  Abrégé  de  la  Révolution  de 
l'Amérique  Angloise.  Paris,  1778,  p.  3. 

42  This  convoy  brought  six  hundred  and  sixty  recruits  for  Rocham- 
beau’s army,  of  whom  only  four  hundred  were  fit  for  duty  on  their 
arrival.  The  Abbé  Robin,  author  of  a volume  quoted  in  these  pages, 
came  as  chaplain,  with  this  body.  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet, 
p.  34. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA, 


113 


On  the  16th  of  June,  the  Baron  cle  Yiomesnil  reviewed 
us  on  beginning  our  campaign  ; on  the  same  day  our  recruits 
arrived  from  Boston. 

Qn  the  18th  of  June  the  regiment  of  Bourbonnois,  on 
the  19th  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts,  on  the  20th  the 
regiment  of  Soisonnois,  and  on  the  21st  the  regiment  of 
Saint  Onge,  left  successively  the  camp  at  Providence, 
keeping  always  between  each  other  the  distance  of  a day’s 
march.  We  encamped  the  first  day  at  Waterman’s  Tavern, 
the  second,  at  Plainfield,  the  third,  at  Windham,*  the  fourth, 
at  Bolton,  and  the  fifth,  at  Hartford.  Each  regiment  will 
stay  there  two  days,  and  we  shall  take  up  our  march  in  the 
same  order  in  which  we  came  to  Hartford. 

Having  arrived  on  the  22d  of  June,  the  regiment  of  Bour- 
bonnois  broke  up  its  camp  on  the  25th,  the  regiment  of  Royal 
Deuxponts  on  the  26th,  the  regiment  of  Soisonnois  on  the 
27th,  and  the  regiment  of  Saint  Onge  on  the  28th;  and  they 
encamped  on  the  first  day  of  the  march  at  Farmington,  the 
second  at  Baron’s  Tavern,  the  third  at  Break  Neck,  and  the 
fourth  at  Newtown.  All  the  different  camps  which  we  have 
had  since  leaving  Newport,  have  been  selected  only  for  the 
object  of  making  progress,  and  we  were  much  too  far  from 
the  enemy  to  take  any  other  precautions  than  those  which 
our  own  discipline  required.  Thus  far  the  only  thing  that 


* At  Windham  we  encamped  in  a little  valley,  surrounded  by  woods. 
An  hour  after  our  arrival,  a fire  broke  out  in  the  woods  on  the  left  of 
the  camp.  We  employed  three  hundred  men,  in  trying  to  put  it  out, 
but  did  not  succeed.  The  fire  burnt  only  the  brush  and  did  not  attack 
the  large  trees.  This  accident,  appalling  in  every  [other]  country, 
caused  no  excitement  among  the  Americans,  whose  country  is  full  of 
forests.  Sometimes  even  they  are  very  glad,  because  it  saves  them 
the  trouble  of  cutting  down  the  trees  to  clear  the  land. 


114 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


has  occupied  us  lias  been  oui'  convenience,  and  what  would 
spare  the  troops  from  fatigue  ; but  after  reaching  Newtown 
we  should  have  been  guilty  of  neglect,  if  we  had  continued 
to  show  the  same  confidence  in  the  impossibility  of  attacks 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy. 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  detached  for  the  first  time  at 
Newtown  the  battalion  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  from  the 
brigade  of  Bourbonnois.  The  General  had  in  the  first  place 
the  plan  of  joining  there  our  four  regiments,  and  of  making 
us  leave  then,  brigade  by  brigade,  separated  by  one  day’s 
march. 

The  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  was  going  to  march  on  the 
2d  of  July,  and  the  brigade  of  Soisonnois  on  the  3d.  But 
a courier,  whom  M.  de  Rochambeau  received  from  General 
Washington  on  the  night  of  the  30th  of  June — 1st  of  July, 
hastened  our  march.  They  beat  the  reveille  at  two  o’clock  in 
the  morning,  and  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  broke  camp  and 
left  Newtown  on  the  1st  of  July.  The  regiment  of  Soison- 
nois remained  in  its  position  to  await  the  regiment  of  Saint 
Onge,  which  did  not  arrive  until  to-day  ; and  the  two  reg- 
iments will  leave  together  to-morrow,  the  2d  of  July. 

The  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  encamped  the  same  day  at 
Ridgebury,  the  next  day,  the  2d  of  July,  at  Bedford,  and 
on  the  3d,  at  North  Castle,  where  we  were  joined  by  the 
brigade  of  Soisonnois,  which  doubled  one  march,  and  arrived 
in  one  day  at  North  Castle  from  Ridgebury. 

The  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  continue  to  be  detached. 
The  legion  of  Lauzun,  which  joined  us  yesterday,  the  2d  of 
July,  at  Bedford,  left  the  same  evening,  re-enforced  by  Shel- 
don’s American  Dragoons,  to  go  after  four  hundred  tories 
who  had  shown  themselves  in  this  neighborhood,  and  driven 
off  cattle. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


115 


During  our  march  from  Newport  to  the  Hudson  River, 
General  W ashington,  whose  movements  were  in  concert  with 
ours,  left  his  winter  quarters  near  New  Windsor  and  went 
to  Peekskill  on  the  North  River  (or  Hudson)  where,  accord- 
ing to  the  plan  agreed  upon,  the  French  army  and  the  Amer- 
ican were  going  to  unite.  On  his  arrival  at  Peekskill,  Gen- 
eral Washington  heard  the  news  of  a sortie  of  English  troops 
from  the  island  of  New  York,  who  had  moved  on  West- 
chester. He  resolved  to  attack  them  and  formed  in  conse- 
quence an  advance-guard  of  a thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
men  under  General  Lincoln. 43  He  sent  at  the  same  time  a 
courier  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  to  inform  him  of  his  de- 
signs, to  make  arrangements  to  appoint  him  another  rendez- 
vous for  meeting,  to  make  him  hasten  the  march  of  our  army, 
and  to  ask  for  the  legion  of  Lauzun.  This  was  the  reason, 
which  made  us  leave  Newtown  so  suddenly;  which  made  the 
legion  of  Lauzun  leave  the  same  evening  of  its  arrival  at 
Bedford  ; which  made  the  brigade  of  Soisonnois  make  a 
double  march;  and  which  made  us  push  forward  to  North 
Castle,  within  reach,  and  ready  to  march  on  the  first 
order  that  should  require  our  presence,  which  would  have 
become  necessary,  if  the  course  of  the  English,  that  of  Gen- 


43  As  lie  [General  Washington]  had  perceived  that  Genei-al  Clinton 
had  dispersed  his  troops  in  several  camps,  and  sent  large  detachments 
into  the  Jerseys,  he  endeavored  to  surprise  Fort  Washington  at  the 
entrance  of  the  island  of  New  York;  he  gave  the  execution  of  the 
coup  de  main  to  General  Lincoln,  who  commanded  the  vanguard,  and 
marched  with  the  remainder  of  the  army  to  support  him.  At  the 
same  time  he  asked  General  Rochambeau  to  hasten  the  march  of  the 
first  brigade  and  of  the  corps  of  Lauzun,  in  order  to  second  him,  if 
he  should  be  seriously  engaged  with  the  main  body  of  the  English 
Army.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut. -général  M.  Dumas,  i.  68. 


15 


116 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


eral  Washington  and  ours  had  brought  on  a serious  and 
general  action. 

The  advance  guard  under  General  Lincoln  went  down  the 
North  River  in  boats.  General  Washington  followed  the 
banks  to  support  Lincoln  ; the  legion  of  Lauzun  and  Shel- 
don’s44 Dragoons  arrived  from  another  direction  ; and  we  for 
our  part  awaited  events  at  North  Castle.  In  short,  General 
Lincoln  attacked  on  the  3d  of  July  ; whether  he  set  about  it 
wrong,*  whether  he  attacked  too  soon,  or  whether  the  enemy 
was  too  many  for  him,  he  was  driven  back,  losing  eighty 
men,  killed  or  wounded,  and  fell  back  upon  General  Wash- 
ington, who  had  taken  with  his  little  army  a position  proper 
to  cover  Lincoln’s  retreat.  The  legion  of  Lauzun,  which  had 
only  heard  the  musketry  without  taking  part  in  the  fight, 
retired,  and  thus  the  day  ended  little  memorable  and  little 
glorious. 

On  the  5th  of  July,  General  Washington,  whose  army  had 
already  encamped  on  the  spot  that  we  shall  occupy  to-mor- 
row, came  to  see  us  at  North  Castle. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  we  left  the  camp  at  North  Castle,  and 
came,  after  a very  long  and  fatiguing  march  and  excessive 
heat,  to  occupy  the  camp  at  Phillipsburg,  where  our  union 


* We  never  could  find  out  the  truth  of  this  attack,  nor  the  reasons 
of  its  failure.  The  Duke  de  Lauzun  who  was  there  told  me  himself 
that  he  knew  nothing  about  it. 


44  This  was  Colonel  Elisha  Sheldon,  who  commanded  a regiment  of 
cavalry.  He  had  some  connection  with  the  correspondence  between 
Arnold  and  André,  though  was  in  no  way  privy  to  the  treason  that 
prompted  it. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


117 


with  the  American  army  * was  accomplished.45  The  right 
of  the  two  armies  rests  on  a valley,  and  is  placed  on  a very 
high  and  very  steep  elevation  f which  commands  the  valley  ; 
in  the  centre  of  the  line  is  low  ground  through  which  runs  a 
little  brook,  and  which  has  banks  high  and  very  steep,  and 
separates  the  French  from  the  Americans  : the  left  rests  on  a 
small  brook  very  near  Brookriver,  on  which  we  have  some 
posts  ; the  front-  of  the  camp  is  protected  by  woods  and  we 
have  nothing  to  fear  in  our  rear.46  The  legion  of  Lauzun, 
encamped  at  White  Plains  four  miles  to  our  left,  protects 
us  from  that  side  ; every  possible  approach  is  guarded  by 
French  and  American  pickets,  and  our  distance  from  King’s 
Bridge  is  only  ten  miles. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  General  Washington  had  a review  of 
honor  of  the  French  army.47 

On  the  14th  of  July,  at  six  o’clock  in  the  evening,  the 


* They  told  us  at  Newport  that  the  American  army  had  10,000  men. 
It  has  however  only  2,500  or  3,000  men,  but  this  is  not  a very  big  lie 
for  the  Americans. 

f Three  miles  from  the  North  River. 


45  “ The  two  armies  joined  in  the  camp  of  Phillipsburg  three  leagues 
from  Kingsbridge,  the  most  advanced  post  of  the  enemy  on  the  Island 
of  New  York.”  Souvenirs  du  liêut.- général  M.  Dumas , i.  69. 

46  u The  effective  force  of  the  two  armies  united  was  barely  10,000 
men.  We  were  encamped  on  one  line  only.  The  right,  formed  by 
the  Americans,  rested  on  the  Hudson.  It  was  covered  by  batteries 
to  protect  it  from  the  fire  of  the  English  frigates,  wrhich  were  able  to 
come  up  the  river  in  this  part,  called  Tappan  Sea.  The  two  French 
brigades  formed  the  left  of  the  line,  leaning  on  a wood,  and  covering 
some  small  eminences.  ” Souvenirs  du  lieut. -général  M.  Dumas, 
i.  69-70. 

47  On  the  preceding  day,  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  had  reviewed 
the  American  army.  Dr.  Thacher’s  Military  Journal,  2d  ed.,  p.  258. 


118 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


brigade  of  Bourbonnois,  the  battalions  of  grenadiers  and 
chasseurs  of  the  two  brigades,  and  the  legion  of  Lauzun 
received  orders  to  march,  and  the  retreat  was  to  take  the 
place  of  the  general  to  fix  the  moment  of  departure.  Our 
march  was  to  be  combined  with  that  of  a large  part  of  the 
American  army,  but  at  seven  o’clock  we  received  counter 
orders. 

On  the  15  th  of  July,  at  half-past  ten  o’clock  in  the  evening, 
we  heard  several  reports  of  cannon  and  musketry,  and  a 
moment  afterwards  they  beat  the  general ;*  the  whole  army 
rushed  to  arms  and  was  formed  in  an  instant  ; after  having- 
remained  in  line  of  battle  a half  or  three  quarters  of  an 
hour  we  received  orders  to  return  to  our  tents.  At  five 
o’clock  in  the  morning,  a mistake  like  that  of  yesterday 
caused  some  alarm-guns  to  be  fired,  but  did  not  make  us  get 
under  arms. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  July,  I learned  that  the 
guns  heard  yesterday  had  been  fired  at  Tarrytown,  (a  small 
place  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  River,  where  they  had  been 
in  the  habit  of  unloading  flour,  which  comes  to  us  from  the 
Jerseys)  by  two  English  frigates,48  which  wanted  to  support 
the  attack  made  by  three  English  schooners  with  the  inten- 
tion of  seizing  and  burning  five  small  vessels,  laden  with 


* It  was  a mark  of  zeal,  very  liasty,  very  badly  understood,  and 
very  much  misplaced,  which  made  them  beat  the  general. 


48  “Two  of  the  British  frigates,  and  several  smaller  vessels,  passed 
up  the  North  River  as  far  as  Tarrytown,  in  defiance  of  our  cannon,  which 
were  continually  playing  on  them.  Their  object  appears  to  be  to  seize 
some  of  our  small  vessels  which  are  passing  down  the  river  with  sup- 
plies for  our  army.  One  small  sloop,  loaded  with  bread  for  the  French 
army,  has  fallen  into  their  hands.”  Dr.  Thacher’s  Militari/  Journal , 
2d  ed.,  pp.  258-9. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


119 


flour.  The  attack  was  unsuccessful  ; indeed  they  succeeded 
in  setting  fire  to  one  of  these  vessels,  but  it  was  put  out  and 
the  cargo  saved.  We  learn  that  this  English  flotilla  was 
still  in  the  same  position  as  on  the  preceding  day  ; the  artil- 
lery from  West  Point  had  not  as  yet  arrived  ; General  Wash- 
ington asked  for  two  of  our  twelve-pounders  and  two  howit- 
zers, which  left  at  once.  I preceded  them  and  awaited  the 
arrival  of  our  pieces,  which  were  immediately  placed  in  posi- 
tion, and  began  to  fire.  Our  artillery-men,  unaccustomed  to 
fire  over  water,  sent  but  few  shots  into  the  frigates,  which 
fired  some  guns  at  us  and  then  warped  themselves  out 
of  our  range. 

The  frigates  remained  in  the  same  position  on  the  17th 
and  the  18tli;  on  the  19  th,  in  going  down  the  North  River 
to  return  to  New  York,  they  were  saluted  on  their  passage 
at  Dobbs’  Ferry  by  two  cannons,  and  two  howitzers  which 
had  been  brought  there.  One  of  the  howitzers  hit  the 
frigate  and  set  her  on  fire,  and  it  caused  such  a panic  that 
twenty  - seven  sailors  jumped  overboard.49  Some  were 
drowned,  three  were  captured,  and  the  others  got  on  board 
of  the  frigate  again,  upon  which  the  fire  had  been  put  out. 

On  the  21st  of  July,  at  half-past  six  in  the  evening,  we 
received  the  same  order  as  on  the  14th  of  the  month,  for  the 


49  “The  British  frigates  that  passed  up  the  North  River  a few  days 
since,  took  the  advantage  of  wind  and  tide  to  return  to  New  York. 
A severe  cannonade  commenced  from  our  battery  at  Dobbs’  Ferry, 
where  the  river  is  about  three  miles  wide,  they  were  compelled  liter- 
ally to  run  the  gauntlet.  They  returned  the  Are  as  they  passed,  but 
without  effect.  On  board  the  Savage,  ship  of  war,  a box  of  powder 
took  fire,  and  such  was  their  consternation,  that  twenty  people  jumped 
into  the  river,  among  whom  was  a prisoner  on  board,  who  informs  us 
that  he  was  the  only  man  who  got  on  shore,  all  the  others  being 
drowned.”  Dr.  Thacher’s  Military  Journal,  2d  ed.,  p.  259. 


120 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


same  number  of  troops,  as  many  French  as  Americans,  the 
same  number  of  columns,  the  same  artillery  train,  and  the 
same  hour  of  leaving;. 

We  set  out  in  three  columns  at  eight  o’clock  in  the  even- 
ing, in  the  direction  of  the  island  of  New  York,  by  horrible 
roads,  which  only  allowed  us  to  arrive  at  half-past  four  in 
the  morning  at  the  plain  near  King’s  Bridge,  within  sight  of 
the  English  forts.  We  drew  ourselves  up  in  line  of  battle; 
the  American  army,  whose  right  flank  rested  on  the  river 
which  separates  York  Island  from  the  main-land,  had  the 
right  in  line  of  battle,  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  had  the 
centre,  and  the  two  battalions  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
the  left;  several  bodies  of  American  troops  were  placed  in 
front  and  approached  the  fort,  No.  8,  which  the  English  hold 
on  the  main-land,  and  which  might  have  been  a mile  and  a 
half  from  us.  There  were  some  slight  skirmishes  between 
the  English  dragoons  and  the  American  dragoons,  but  they 
were  of  no  consequence.  The  Count  de  Rochambeau  and 
General  Washington  went  during  the  morning  to  reconnoitre 
the  forts.  Some  musketry  and  cannon  were  fired  at  them. 
We  all  went,  as  we  could  get  permission,  to  make  our  private 
reconnoissances  ; everywhere  we  found  Hessian  troops  who 
fired  some  musketry  at  us,  and  as  soon  as  they  could  see 
from  the  fort  little  groups  within  range,  they  fired  cannon. 
We  had  neither  tents  nor  baggage  with  us.  The  troops 
bivouacked  the  night  of  the  22d-23d,  and  remained  in  the 
same  position  during  the  day  of  the  23d,  which  the  generals 
employed  in  making  their  reconnoissances  of  all  the  points 
of  the  island  of  New  York. 

From  the  side  of  Morrisania  they  were  protected  by  the 
legion  of  Lauzun  and  an  American  battalion.  They  ap- 
proached very  near  two  pieces  of  artillery  and  two  hundred 


MY  CAMPAIGN'S  IN  AMERICA. 


121 


men,  who  opened  a sharp  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry. 
No  one  however  was  killed  or  wounded,  only  the  Count  de 
Damas  had  his  horse  shot  under  him. 

On  the  23d,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  evening,  all  the  recon- 
noissances  being  ended,  the  General  gave  us  the  order  for 
leaving  ; our  return  march  was  made  in  the  inverse  order  of 
that  which  we  followed  on  the  advance.  The  enemy  did  not 
attempt  to  trouble  us,  and  at  eleven  o’clock  in  the  evening 
we  entered  our  camp  again  at  Phillipsburg. 

From  the  23d  of  July  to  the  14th  of  August,  we  have  re- 
mained quiet  at  our  camp  in  Phillipsburg.  There  were  no 
other  military  operations  but  some  foraging  at  Mamaro- 
neck50  and  at  New  Rochelle  on  the  Sound.  They  were  near 
enough  to  the  enemy  for  him  to  have  taken  advantage  of  it 
and  to  have  troubled  us.  We  took,  as  to  the  force  and 
arrangements  of  the  chain  which  was  to  insure  the  foraging, 
every  precaution  which  the  proximity  of  the  English  seems 
to  demand,  but  our  adversary  is  little  enterprising  and  little 
vigilant,  and  no  force  has  appeared. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  we  received  the  important  news 
of  the  near  arrival  of  the  Count  de  Grasse  in  the  waters 
of  North  America.  He  set  sail  from  Cape  François  on  the 
4th  of  August,  and  brings  with  him  twenty-eight  ships  of 
the  line.  They  tell  us  also  that  there  are  three  thousand 
troops  to  be  debarked,  and  that  all  the  marines  will  assist 
our  operations  on  land. 

On  the  19th  of  August,  the  French  army  left  the  camp  at 
Phillipsburg..  We  do  not  know  the  object  of  our  march,  and 


50  General  Heath,  in  liis  Memoirs,  p.  lit,  speaks  of  this  place  as 
“ Maroneck,”  which  is  very  much  like  Moreneck,  the  word  used  in 
the  French  text. 


122 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


are  in  perfect  ignorance  whether  we  are  going  against 
New  York,  or  whether  we  are  going  to  Virginia  to  attack 
Lord  Cornwallis,  who  now  occupies  Portsmouth  with  a con- 
siderable force.51  A rear-guard  is  essential  under  the  pres- 
ent circumstances.  The  Count  de  Rochambeau  formed  it  of 
the  two  battalions  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the  army 
and  of  the  legion  of  Lauzun.  The  Viscount  Viomesnil  is 
commander-in-chief  of  it  ; I command  the  battalion  of  the 
grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois,  and 
the  Chevalier  de  la  Valette,  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Saint  Onge,  commands  that  of  the  brigade  of  Soi- 
sonnois.  We  occupied  the  avenues  to  New  York  during  the 
removal  of  the  army  and  the  artillery.  The  troops  began 
to  march  at  noon,  and  it  was  not  till  half-past  two  that  we 
could  draw  in  our  pickets  and  begin  our  march.  At  a mile 
from  the  camp  the  battalions  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
were  united  ; and  at  a little  distance  further  on,  we  began  to 
find  broken  wagons,  which  we  could  not  leave  behind,  and 
which  so  retarded  our  march  that  at  eight  o’clock  in  the 
evening  we  had  made  only  four  miles.  A severe  rain,  which 
had  spoiled  and  broken  up  all  the  roads  and  wet  us  all 
through,  caused  the  Viscount  Viomesnil  to  order  a halt  at 
the  house  of  Alexander  Lark,  where  we  made  great  fires 
and  dried  ourselves  as  well  as  we  could,  and  then  bivou- 
acked. 

On  the  20th  of  August,  at  one  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  we 

51  “ Our  destination  lias  been  for  some  time  matter  of  perplexing 
doubt  and  uncertainty  ; bets  have  run  high  on  one  side,  that  we  were 
to  occupy  the  ground,  marked  out  on  the  Jersey  shore,  to  aid  in  the 
siege  of  New  York,  and  on  the  other,  that  we  are  stealing  a march 
on  the  enemy,  and  are  actually  destined  to  Virginia,  in  pursuit  of 
the  army  under  Lord  Cornwallis.”  Dr.  Tliacher’s  Military  Journal, 
2d  ed.,  p.  262. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


123 


started  again,  and  got  as  far  as  Leguid’s  Tavern  at  eleven 
o’clock  in  the  evening,  where  we  passed  the  night. 

The  army,  whose  rear-guard  had  been  separated  during 
these  two  days,  had  been  on  the  day  of  its  departure  as  far 
as  North  Castle,  where  it  arrived  only  on  the  20th  of  Au- 
gust, at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  after  marching  seventeen 
consecutive  hours.  It  remained  there  the  whole  day,  the 
20th,  and  we  know  that  we  must  join  it  to-morrow. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  we  left  Leguid’s  Tavern,  and  joined 
the  main  army  at  Pines’  Bridge  upon  the  Croton  River; 
thence  the  battalion  of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  Bourbon- 
nois  formed  the  immediate  rear-guard  of  the  army;  and  the 
battalion  of  Soisonnois  received  the  order  to  remain  on  the 
banks  of  the  Croton  until  all  the  trains  had  passed.  We 
marched  that  day  as  far  as  Hounds  Tavern,  where  we  found 
our  tents  again  and  encamped.  My  battalion  encamped 
separately  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  army. 

On  the  22d  of  August,  I formed  the  immediate  advance- 
guard  of  the  army,  as  far  as  the  camp  at  Verplanck’s  Point 
on  the  North  River.  The  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  then 
received  orders  to  return  to  their  regiments,  and  we  prepare 
to  pass  the  river  with  all  possible  despatch.  The  heavy 
artillery  and  the  legion  of  Lauzun  were  to  pass  to-day,  and 
take  position  on  the  other  side  of  the  Hudson  River. 

The  day  of  the  23d  of  August  has  been  employed  in  em- 
barking and  taking  across  all  the  trains.* 


* An  enemy  of  any  boldness  or  any  skill  would  have  seized  an 
opportunity  so  favorable  for  him  and  so  embarrassing  for  us,  as  that 
of  our  crossing  the  North  River.  I do  not  understand  the  indifference 
with  which  General  Clinton  considers  our  movements.  It  is  to  me 
an  obscure  enigma,  and  I hope  that  they  never  will  reproach  me  with 
giving  similar  ones  to  be  solved. 

16 


124 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


On  the  24th  of  August,  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  crossed 
the  Hudson  River,  and  went  to  encamp  at  Haverstraw,  near 
Smith’s  52  house,  in  which  Arnold  formed  with  the  English 
Major  André  the  infamous  plot  of  betraying  his  country. 

Here  now  is  the  order  of  our  march:  General  Washing- 
ton, with  nearly  three  thousand  men,  precedes  us  by  a day  ; 
the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  and  the  legion  of  Lauzun  follow 
on  the  next  day,  and  the  march  of  the  combined  army  is 
ended  on  the  third  day  by  the  brigade  of  Soisonnois.  Gen- 
eral Washington  left  General  Heath  at  the  camp,  at  Ver- 
planck’s  Point,  with  three  thousand  men  to  defend  the  State 
of  New  York  and  the  North  River  valley.  I do  not  know 
whether  his  command  will  keep  its  position  or  go  up  the 
river  to  West  Point. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  we  encamped  at  Suffcrns. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  we  marched  to  Pompton.*  The 

* After  the  troops  were  established  in  their  camp,  I took  advan- 
tage of  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  Totoha  Falls,53  and  went  to 
see  them.  Although  fatigued,  I have  never  regretted  the  ten  miles 
going  and  the  ten  miles  coming  back,  which  it  was  necessary  that  I 
should  undertake,  in  order  to  satisfy  my  curiosity  ; and  I found  the 
spectacle  of  this  cascade  as  singular  as  it  was  imposing. 


52  This  was  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  a brother  of  the  Tory  Chief  Justice 
Smith,  and  a man  of  considerable  influence.  He  was  arrested  at  Fish- 
kill  for  his  connection  with  Arnold  in  his  infamous  treason,  and  after- 
wards tried  and  acquitted.  His  house  is  near  Haverstraw,  and  stands 
upon  the  brow  of  an  eminence,  known,  for  obvious  reasons,  as  Trea- 
son Hill,  and  commands  an  extensive  view  of  the  Hudson,  and  the 
country  beyond.  Smith  died  in  New  York  in  1818.  Lossing’s  Picto- 
rial Field  Book  of  the  Bevolution,  ii.  181.  — The  Marquis  de  Chastellux 
speaks  of  seeing  his  house  in  November  1780,  and  says  that  “it  is 
punished  by  solitude,  and  is  in  fact,  so  deserted,  that  there  is  not  a 
single  person  to  take  care  of  it,  although  it  is  the  mansion  of  a large 
farm.”  Voyages  de  M.  le  Marquis  de  Chastellux.  Paris,  1786,  i.  8. 

63  “ At  Patterson  [New  Jersey],  the  Passaic  has  a fall  of  seventy -two 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


125 


army  of  General  Washington  is  separated  from  us,  and  has 
the  appearance  of  going  towards  Paulus  Hook 54  or  towards 
Staten  Island.  I cannot  make  up  my  mind  as  to  the  object 
of  our  march.  Iam  inclined  to  believe  that  the  Americans 
will  attack  one  of  the  two  points  which  they  are  threaten- 
ing, and  I am  quite  certain  that  they  will  not  act  without 
us. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  we  encamped  at  Hanover  or 
Whippany,  near  Morristown.  We  are  going  to  remain 
to-morrow.  It  was  here  that  I learned,  under  the  strictest 
secrecy  from  one  of  my  friends,  well  informed,  that  all  the 
manoeuvres  by  which  we  threaten  New  York  are  only  a feint, 
that  Lord  Cornwallis  is  the  real  object  of  our  marches,  and 
that  we  are  going  to  direct  them  towards  Virginia. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  we  encamped  at  Bullions’  Tavern. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  at  Somerset. 

On  the  31st  of  August,  at  Princeton. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  we  marched  to  Trenton,  where 
we  cross  the  Delaware.  We  keep  our  tents,  but  to-day  the 
trains  ford  the  river.  To-morrow  morning  the  troops  go 
over  in  boats. 

On  the  2d,  we  encamped  at  Red  Lion  Tavern.55 


feet  (or  fifty  feet  perpendicular),  affording  immense  water  power, 
which  has  been  improved  by  dams  and  canals.  It  is  much  visited  by 
tourists.”  New  American  Cyclopaedia , xiii.  23.  A description  of 
these  falls,  now  known  as  the  Passaic,  is  given  in  Dr.  Thacher’s  Mili- 
tary Journal , 2d  ed.,  p.  198. 

54  Now  Jersey  City. 

55  Red  Lion  Tavern  was  two  miles  from  Bristol,  and  sixteen  or  sev- 
enteen from  Philadelphia. 


126 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


On  the  3d  of  September,  we  marched  to  Philadelphia.56 
Congress  was  in  session  as  we  went  through  the  city.  We 
paid  it  the  honors  which  the  King  ordered  us  to  pay.  The 
thirteen  members  took  off  their  thirteen  hats  at  each  salute 
of  the  flags  and  of  the  offlcers,  and  that  is  all  that  I have  seen 
that  was  respectful  or  remarkable.  After  going  through 
Philadelphia,  we  encamped  on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill 
River,  a good  mile  in  front  of  the  city.  We  remain  to- 
morrow. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  we  encamped  at  Chester,  where 
we  learned  the  authentic  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Count 
de  Grasse  with  twenty-eight  ships  of  the  line,  and  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  troops  under  the  Marquis  de  St.  Simon, 
who  landed  them  on  the  27th  of  August,  the  day  after  his 
arrival,  with  orders  to  join  the  corps  of  the  Marquis  de  La- 
fayette. 

The  joy  which  this  welcome  news  produces  among  all  the 
troops,  which  penetrates  General  Washington*  and  the 


* I have  been  equally  surprised  and  touched  at  the  true  and  pure 
joy  of  General  Washington.  Of  a natural  coldness  and  of  a serious 
and  noble  approach,  which  in  him  is  only  true  dignity,  and  which 
adorns  so  well  the  chief  of  a whole  nation,  his  featux-es,  his  physiog- 
nomy, his  deportment  — all  were  changed  in  an  instant.  He  put  aside 
his  character  as  arbiter  of  North  America  and  contented  himself  for 
the  moment  with  that  of  a citizen,  happy  at  the  good  fortune  of  his 
country.  A child,  whose  every  wish  had  been  gratified,  would  not 
have  experienced  a sensation  more  lively,  and  I believe  that  I am  do- 


56  “Philadelphia  was  at  one  time  gratified  with  the  imposing  spec- 
tacle of  a French  army  in  fine  style  of  military  array,  consisting  of 
six  thousand  men.  They  came  down  Front  street;  passed  up  Vine 
street,  and  encamped  on  the  Commons  at  the  Centre  square.  They 
were  fine-looking  soldiers,  all  in  white  uniform.  They  were  under 
command  of  General  Rochambeau,  on  their  way  to  Yorktown.”  Wat- 
son's Annals  of  Philadelphia,  ii.  328. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


127 


Count  de  Rochambeau,  is  more  easy  to  feel  than  to  express. 
The  moment  which  is  to  be  the  recompense  of  our  hard- 
ships, of  our  fatigues,  and  of  our  absence  draws  near,  and  I 
hope  that  we  shall  enjoy  it. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  we  encamped  at  Wilmington. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  we  marched  to  Elkton,  which 
may  be  considered  as  the  head  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  Elkton 
is  better  known  by  the  name  of  Head  of  Elk,  since  it  is 
there  that  the  river  Elk  begins  to  be  navigable. 

We  hoped  to  find  here  sufficient  means  to  embark  our 
whole  army,  but  there  are  boats  for  only  twelve  hundred 
men,  and  M.  de  Rochambeau  employs  them  for  embarking 
the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  and  the  infantry  of  the  legion 
of  Lauzun.58  The  main  body  of  the  army  will  march  by 
land  as  far  as  Baltimore,  where  I hope  we  shall  go  aboard 
ships.  If  we  cannot  find  means  of  transportation,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  march  as  far  as  the  York  River,  a long  and 


ing  honor  to  the  feelings  of  this  rare  man,  in  endeavoring  to  express 
all  their  ardor.57 


57  The  impressions  which  W ashington  made  on  the  French  officers 
were  deep  and  decided.  General  Dumas,  in  his  Souvenirs,  i.  44, 
says,  that  “ General  Washington  went  in  person  to  the  French  head- 
quarters, accompanied  by  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.  This  interview 
between  the  two  generals  was  to  us  a beautiful  sight.  We  had  been 
impatient  to  see  the  hero  of  liberty.  His  dignified  address,  the  sim- 
plicity of  his  manners  and  mild  gravity,  surpassed  our  expectation, 
and  won  every  heart.”  The  Abbé  Robin,  in  his  Nouveau  Voyage, 
pp.  62-3,  is  equally  enthusiastic.  See  also  Voyages  de  M.  le  Marquis 
de  Chastellux  dans  l'Amérique  Septentrionale.  Paris,  1786,  pp. 
118-20. 

58  “ M.  de  Custine,  colonel  of  the  regiment  of  Saint  Onge,  commanded 
the  van  of  Washington’s  army,  composed  of  a thousand  French  gren- 
adiers, and  as  many  American  volunteers.”  Operations  of  the  French 
Fleet,  p.  75. 


128 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


painful  march;  but  we  shall  know  how  to  endure  it.  We 
shall  remain  here  to-morrow,  the  9th  [8th?]  of  September, 
and  shall  start  again  on  our  march  the  day  after  to-morrow. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  we  resumed  our  march.  The 
trains  were  separated  from  the  columns  of  troops,  on  ac- 
count of  the  slender  means  which  the  ferry  over  the  Susque- 
hanna River  affords  for  passing  in  boats  ; they  were  obliged 
to  make  a detour  and  to  seek  a ford  seven  miles  above  the 
ferry  ; the  detour  which  they  are  making,  the  bad  roads  which 
they  will  meet  with,  will  deprive  us  for  several  days  of  them  ; 
and  we  gaily  make  an  exchange  of  our  beds  for  simple  bear- 
skins. The  troops  passed  over  the  Susquehanna  ferry  to- 
day, the  9th,  in  boats,  and  we  went  into  bivouac  a mile  from 
the  lower  ferry,  where  we  crossed  the  river. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  we  bivouacked  at  Bush,59  Har- 
ford [county]. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  we  marched  to  White  Marsh.60 
We  were  there  joined  by  our  tent  wagons,  but  we  hear 
nothing  yet  of  our  baggage-trains. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  we  arrived  at  Baltimore.  The 
Baron  de  Yiomesnil,  as  soon  as  we  arrived,  informed  us  of 
the  means  of  transportation  which  had  been  furnished  him, 
and  which  he  thought  sufficient  to  take  the  brigade  of  Bour- 
bonnois.  He  charged  the  Marquis  de  Laval  and  myself  to 
examine  this  matter  and  to  make  an  exact  estimate  of  the 
number  of  men  that  each  boat  would  hold.  We  have  taken 


69  By  the  kindness  of  Colonel  Brantz  Mayer,  of  Baltimore,  I am 
enabled  to  identify  some  of  these  places.  “ Burch  Hartford”  is  Bush, 
at  Bush  River,  sixteen  miles  east  of  Baltimore,  in  Harford  County,  on 
the  Philadelphia  turnpike. 

6u  u \\raite  Marsch”  is  White  Marsh,  eleven  miles  east  of  Baltimore, 
on  the  Philadelphia  turnpike. 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


129 


every  possible  care,  but  notwithstanding  our  desire  to  suc- 
ceed in  embarking  here,  we  see  that  it  is  impossible  to  think 
of  it.  The  General  has  ordered  for  to-morrow  a trial  of 
embarking,  and  from  that  it  will  be  decided  whether  we  go 
by  land  or  down  Chesapeake  Bay.61 

On  the  13th  of  September,  in  the  morning,  the  trial  of 
embarking  was  made  according  to  the  plan  of  yesterday. 
The  Baron  de  Viomesnil  considered  it  impossible  to  think 
of  exposing  the  troops  to  the  torture  of  one  position,  so 
uncomfortable  and  so  restrained  as  that  which  they  would 
be  obliged  to  take  for  several  days,  and  at  great  risks  in  the 
small  boats,  shamefully  equipped  in  every  respect.  He 
determined  to  make  us  go  by  land,  and  all  the  arrangements 
for  subsistence  are  going  to  be  made.  We  have  two  days 
to  remain  here,  and  I shall  occupy  them  with  the  indispensa- 
ble repairs  of  clothes  and  shoes.  We  shall  march  again  on 
the  16th,  and  it  will  be  the  end  of  the  month  at  the  earliest, 
before  we  reach  our  destination.  The  fatigue  of  so  long  a 
march  is  not  the  consideration  which  troubles  me,  but  it  is 
the  fear  that  on  our  arrival,  the  operations  against  Lord 
Cornwallis  will  be  begun,  perhaps  finished.  The  Baron  de 
Viomesnil  nevertheless  assured  me,  that  he  had  the  positive 
statement  of  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  that  he  would  un- 
dertake nothing  before  the  arrival  of  our  army.  May  he 
keep  his  word  ! 

When  we  learned  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Count  de 
Grasse,  we  already  knew  of  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Hood  at 
Sandy  Hook  ; and  we  are  certain  that  he  set  sail  two  days 


61  Means  for  transportation  at  this  time  in  Chesapeake  Bay  were 
very  limited,  as  the  English  had  destroyed  everything  upon  which 
they  could  lay  then-  hands,  that  could  be  used  for  this  purpose. 


130 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


after  his  arrival,  with  the  addition  of  the  squadron  of  Ad- 
miral Graves.  We  think  that  the  English  fleet  will  endeavor 
either  to  aid  Cornwallis,  or  to  cruise  for  the  sake  of  cutting 
off  the  squadron  of  M.  de  Barras,  which  we  know  left  Rhode 
Island  to  join  M.  de  Grasse.  We  cannot  be  without  anxiety 
as  to  the  fate  of  M.  de  Barras. 

On  the  13th,  our  baggage  reached  us.  A man,  arriving 
from  Virginia,  assures  us  that  M.  de  Grasse  has  sailed  from 
Chesapeake  Bay,  and  he  speaks  of  a fight  between  the 
French  fleet  and  the  English  fleet.  I do  not  give  much  faith 
to  it. 

On  the  15th,  we  have  learned  that  the  grenadiers  and  the 
chasseurs,  who  embarked  at  Head  of  Elk,  have  been  obliged 
to  put  into  Annapolis  on  account  of  bad  weather. 

On  the  16th  of  September,  we  resumed  our  march,  and 
encamped  at  Spurrier’s  Tavern.62  The  Baron  de  Viomesnil 
received,  while  there,  a letter  * from  M.  de  la  Villebrune, 
captain  of  the  ship  “ Romulus,”  which  announced  to  him  his 
arrival  at  Annapolis,  with  sufficient  means  to  take  us 
down  Chesapeake  Bay.  This  news  changed  the  plan  of  the 
General.  He  called  the  colonels  together,  to  tell  us  his  in- 
tention of  marching  to  Annapolis,  and  there  embarking  us 
on  boats  intended  for  that  purpose. 


* This  letter  also  assures  us  of  the  union  of  M.  de  Barras  with  M. 
de  Grasse. 


62  “ ‘ Spurrer’s  Tavern’  was  Spurrier’s  Tavern,  twelve  miles  on  the 
Washington  road,  now  the  Waterloo  Tavern.  It  was  built  by  one  of 
the  Spurriers  of  Annapolis,  and  known  by  his  name.  This  road  (viz. 
the  Elk  Ridge)  was  used  by  people  who  dreaded  the  fords  and  ferries 
to  Annapolis.  Of  Scott’s  Plantation  I can  get  no  information.”  Letter 
of  Colonel  Brantz  Mayer. 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


131 


On  the  17th  of  September,  we  took  the  route  for  Annap- 
olis, and  encamped  at  Scott’s  Plantation. 

On  the  18th  of  September,  we  marched  to  Annapolis, 
where  we  found  the  boats  which  they  had  spoken  of.  They 
are  working  with  all  their  might  for  the  embarkment,  and  I 
hope  that  we  shall  be  able  to  go  on  board  to-morrow  even- 
ing.* 


* We  learned  at  Annapolis  of  the  fight  which  the  Count  de  Grasse 
had  on  the  5th  of  September  with  the  English  squadron,  under  Admi- 
ral Graves.63  The  English  appeared  off  the  capes  : M.  de  Grasse, 
who  had  not  formed  a junction  with  M.  de  Barras,  and  who  was 
necessarily  anxious,  did  not  hesitate  a moment  about  going  out  to 
fight  the  enemy.  He  cut  his  cables,  and  was  at  once  under  sail  ; as 
soon  as  the  enemy  discovered  the  intention  of  the  French  admiral,  he 
set  all  sail  to  escape,  and  could  be  reached  only  by  those  French  ships 
which  were  sheathed  with  copper.64  This  fight  of  the  leading  ships 


63  “The  squadron  of  Admiral  Graves  had  appeared  on  the  5th  of 
September  off  Chesapeake  Bay.  The  Count  de  Grasse,  though  he  had 
already  detached  fifteen  hundred  sailors  for  landing  the  troops  of 
M.  St.  Simon  in  the  James  River,  did  not  hesitate  to  cut  his  cables,  and 
go  to  meet  the  English  fleet  with  twenty-four  ships  of  the  line.  The 
English  admiral  got  to  the  windward  ; the  vanguard,  commanded  by 
M.  de  Bougainville,  overtook  the  enemy,  who  was  very  roughly  han- 
dled. The  Count  de  Grasse  pursued  him  to  a distance,  and  on  re-en- 
tering the  bay,  found  the  squadron  of  M.  de  Barras,  who  had  profited 
by  the  action  to  reach  the  anchorage,  after  having  ably  convoyed  the 
ten  vessels  which  had  our  heavy  artillery  on  board.”  Souvenirs  du 
lieut.- général  M.  Dumas,  i.  176. 

This  victory  of  the  Count  de  Grasse  was  of  great  importance  to  the 
allied  army.  If  the  French  had  been  defeated  in  this  action,  it  would 
have  left  the  British  in  the  possession  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  and 
would  have  thwarted  the  plans  of  General  Washington  for  the  cap- 
ture of  Yorktown,  and  of  the  British  army. 

64  “France  began  this  war  with  the  great  disadvantage  of  fighting 
the  swift,  copper-fastened  men-of-war  of  her  rival  with  her  own 
old-fashioned  wooden  bottoms.”  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet, 
p.  14. 


132 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


On  the  19th  and  20th  of  September,  we  were  engaged  in 
embarking  all  the  material  of  our  army,  but  we  did  not  go 
aboard  until  the  morning  of  the  21st.  Our  little  squadron 
is  composed  of  the  “ Romulus,”  the  frigates  “ Gentille,” 
“ Diligente,”  “ Aigrette,”  “Iris,”  and  the  “ Kichmond 66  (the 
last  two  have  just  been  taken  from  the  English),  and  nine 
transports,  — in  all  fifteen  vessels.67  I was  embarked  on  the 
“ Diligente,”  where  I met  Lord  Rawdon,68  Colonel  Doyle, 
and  Lieutenant  Clark  of  the  English  Royal  Navy,  taken  on 


with  the  rear  ships  was  not  less  brisk  on  that  account,  and  visibly 
disadvantageous  for  the  enemy.  Night  separated  the  combatants; 
but  M.  de  Grasse  kept  up  the  chase  during  the  whole  day  of  the  6th, 
but  gave  it  up  the  next  day,  lest  the  wind  changing,  should  give  the 
English  an  opportunity  of  getting  into  Chesapeake  Bay;  he  re- 
traced his  route,  and  found  the  squadron  of  M.  de  Barras,  which 
had  entered  during  his  absence.65 


65  <<  we  made  the  Count  de  Barras,  who  had  been  at  anchor  in  the 
roads  for  two  days,  start  out  two  vessels  of  his  division,  as  he  could 
not  make  out  which  nation  we  belonged  to.  He  had  witnessed  the 
affair  of  the  5th,  but  being  unable  to  distinguish  the  French  fleet,  he 
had  anchored  in  the  roads,  where  we  found  him.”  Operations  of  the 
French  Fleet,  p.  75. 

66  The  “Iris”  and  “Richmond”  were  frigates,  each  of  forty  guns, 
taken  on  the  11th  of  September,  near  the  mouth  of  Chesapeake  Bay. 

67  “When  Washington  arrived  at  Williamsburg,  and  found  both  the 
French  fleets  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  he  sent  ten  transports  of  De  Bar- 
ras’s  squadron  to  bring  on  the  allied  forces  from  Maryland.”  Recol- 
lections and  Private  Memoirs  of  Washington,  p.  237. 

68  “Lord  Rawdon,  retiring  to  England  in  ill  health,  after  his  bar- 
barous and  unjustifiable  execution  of  Haines.  He  had  now  the  morti- 
fication to  witness,  as  a prisoner,  the  defeat  of  Cornwallis  on  land,  and 
Graves  on  the  ocean.”  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet,  etc.  p.  61,  note. 

“ The  fleet,  on  their  passage,  took  a packet  from  Charleston,  with 
Lord  Rawdon  on  board,  bound  to  Europe.”  Letter  of  W.  Gist  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  in  Boston  Independent  Ledger,  Sept.  24th,  1781. 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  DT  AMERICA. 


133 


the  packet  “ Queen  Charlotte.” 69  The  last  two  had  their 
wives  with  them. 

At  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  set  sail  with  a steady, 
fresh  wind. 

On  the  22d,  at  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  discov- 
ered the  ships  which  blockaded  the  mouth  of  the  York  River  ; 
at  six  o’clock,  we  perceived  the  main  fleet,  and  at  eight 
o’clock  we  anchored  in  Lynn  Haven  Bay,  in  the  midst  of 
the  French  fleet. 

On  the  23d  of  September,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  morning, 
we  set  sail  again,  and  entered  the  James  River,  which  we 
intend  to  go  up. 

In  the  evening  of  the  24th,  we  reached  Hogs  Ferry,  the 
place  of  our  landing.  The  navigation  of  the  James  River  is 
very  difficult  ; we  were  continually  obliged  to  heave  the  lead  ; 
and,  notwithstanding  all  our  precautions,  several  vessels  got 
aground,  and  were  floated  off  only  by  the  tide. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  our  troops  landed  and  en- 
camped half  a mile  from  Hogs  Ferry. 

On  the  26th,  at  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  marched 
and  encamped  at  Williamsburg.  We  learned  there  that 


69  “ On  the  24th  [of  August,  1781],  we  took  three  English  vessels  ; 
one  of  which,  commanded  by  a lieutenant  in  the  navy,  carried  16 
six-pounders  and  8 eighteen-pound  howitzers.  She  had  on  board  four 
officers  and  several  young  women,  who,  on  passing  into  our  hands, 
were  greatly  rejoiced  at  their  adversity,  and  said  that  the  French, 
even  on  the  sea,  were  better  than  their  countrymen.  There  is  one 
style  in  which  they  surely  would  not  prove  it  — being  very  knowing. 
I would  willingly  rely  on  their  judgment,  so  far  as  their  experience 
goes.  The  smaller  of  the  other  two  was  carrying  to  England  a gen- 
eral officer,  who  had  commanded  at  Savannah  and  Charleston,  which 
he  had  left  a week  before,  and  who  enjoyed  the  highest  reputation.” 
Operations  of  the  French  Fleet,  p.  64. 


134 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


Lord  Cornwallis  had  sent  some  fire-ships  to  destroy  the 
French  vessels  which  were  blockading  him,  but  they  have 
had  no  effect  except  to  frighten  badly  some  of  the  crews. 
Lord  Cornwallis  is  at  work  briskly  in  entrenching  himself, 
and  shortly  we  shall  march  to  the  place  of  attack. 

On  the  28th,  the  whole  combined  army  was  put  in  march 
from  Williamsburg  to  encamp  near  Yorktown.  During  a 
part  of  the  way  the  army  marched  in  one  column,  the 
Americans  having  the  lead.  Four  miles  from  our  desti- 
nation, at  a fork  of  two  roads,  both  of  which  led  to  York- 
town, the  Americans  took  the  right  road,  and  the  French, 
composed,  first,  of  the  volunteers  under  the  Baron  St. 
Simon,  brother  of  the  general;  second,  of  the  grenadiers 
and  chasseurs  of  the  seven  regiments  of  our  army;  third, 
of  the  brigades  of  Agenois,  Soisonnois,  and  Bourbonnois, 
marching  left  in  front,  — took  the  left  road. 

We  separated,  brigade  by  brigade,  a mile  from  the  town 
and  began  to  invest  it.  The  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  had 
scarcely  reached  the  position  it  was  to  take,  when  we  were 
informed  that  some  troops  of  the  enemy  were  appearing. 
The  Count  de  Bochambeau  gave  orders  to  the  Marquis  de 
Laval  to  take  the  pickets  and  the  artillery  of  the  brigade  and 
follow  them  up  ; we  started,  and  after  five  or  six  cannon 
shots,  the  small  detachment  took  flight. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  General  Washington  advanced 
the  American  army  lines  in  order  to  tighten  the  investment. 
The  English  troops,  encamped  in  front,  fell  back  on  York- 
town and  fired  some  cannon,  which  had  no  other  effect  than 
to  wound  one  man. 

In  the  night  of  the  29th-30th,  the  English,  whose  ad- 
vanced posts  touched  ours,  abandoned  them,  and  evacuated 
two  redoubts  on  the  side  of  the  French,  and  one  on  the  side 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


135 


of  the  Americans,  and  all  the  posts  and  small  batteries 
which  they  had  built  to  defend  a creek,  which  I should  con- 
sider of  the  utmost  importance  to  them.70  I followed  the 
..Count  de  Eochambeau  in  his  rounds  reconnoitring  these 
redoubts.  The  places  evacuated  allowed  us  to  sec  and  to 
judge  of  all  the  land  which  surrounds  the  town  and  the 
works  which  are  to  defend  it  ; and  it  seems  to  me  for  this 
reason  that  the  enemy  ought  to  have  kept  these  redoubts 
until  they  were  forced  to  abandon  them,  although  in  them- 
selves, these  works  were  of  no  great  importance.71  It 
would  have  compelled  us  to  feel  our  way,  and  would  have 
held  us  in  doubt  ; it  would  have  retarded  our  works,  per- 
haps, instead  of  leaving  us  masters  of  all  the  approaches 
to  the  place,  to  the  distance  of  six  or  eight  hundred  yards. 
It  is  clear  that  the  approaches  are  as  easy  as  possible; 
means  of  shelter  everywhere  ; some  small,  commanding 
places  ; and  the  works,  neither  strong  nor  considerable  in 
themselves,  are,  it  seems  to  me,  too  extended,  forming  too 
large  an  enclosure  to  be  defended  easily.  We  examined 
carefully  the  redoubts  evacuated  ; they  are  not  solid  ; the  par- 
apets are  not  thick,  and  are  made  of  sandy  soil  which  obliges 


70  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton,  whose  name  is  several  times  men- 
tioned in  these  pages,  and  who  took  an  active  part  in  the  defence  of 
Gloucester,  wrote  a History  of  the  Campaign  of  1780  and  1781, 
Dublin,  1787,  in  which  he  severely  criticises,  on  pp.  374-5,  the  course 
of  Lord  Cornwallis,  in  giving  up  these  positions,  so  necessary  for 
prolonging  the  siege  until  reinforcements  should  come. 

71  “-vVe  were  agreeably  surprised  this  morning  [Sept.  30]  to  find 
that  the  enemy  had,  during  the  preceding  night,  abandoned  three  or 
four  of  their  redoubts,  and  retired  within  the  town,  leaving  a consid- 
erable extent  of  commanding  ground  which  might  have  cost  us  much 
labor  and  many  lives  to  obtain  by  force.”  Dr.  Thacher’s  Military 
Journal,  2d  ed.,  p.  271. 


136 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


them  to  be  propped  up  lest  they  fall  down  ; but  the  abatis 
are  excellent,  having  no  other  fault  but  being  made  of  pine, 
and,  in  consequence,  easy  to  set  on  fire.  I advanced  three 
hundred  paces  nearer  the  town,  and  sa\y  a ravine,  nearly 
twenty-five  feet  deep,  which  surrounds  the  whole  place,  and 
enters  York  River  above  and  below  the  town.  This  ravine 
seems  to  me  to  be  an  excellent  defence,  and  I do  not  under- 
stand why  the  enemy  left  it.  Our  General  at  once  occupied 
these  two  abandoned  redoubts  ; the  one  by  the  grenadiers  of 
Bourbonnois,  the  other  by  fifty  chasseurs  of  the  regiment  of 
Royal  Deuxponts.  The  rest  of  the  battalion  of  grenadiers 
and  chasseurs  of  the  brigade  and  its  pickets  were  placed  a 
little  in  the  rear,  behind  a slope  which  shelters  them  from 
the  guns.  This  reconnoissance  and  all  these  movements 
could  not  be  made  without  being  discovered  from  the  town, 
and  without  causing  some  guns  to  be  fired  at  us.  They 
have  aimed  eight  or  ten  shots  at  us,  but  no  one  has  been 
killed  or  wounded. 

On  the  same  morning,  the  Viscount  de  Viomesnil  wishing 
to  reconnoitre  the  enemy’s  works  in  advance  of  our  left, 
pushed  out  in  front  the  volunteers  of  St.  Simon.  They  took 
possession  of  the  woods  which  cover  these  works,  by  forcing 
the  English  pickets  who  defended  them  to  fall  back  on  a 
redoubt,  which  kept  up  a sharp  volley  of  bullets  and  grape, 
and  killed  a hussar,  broke  the  arm  of  another,  and  the  thigh 
of  an  officer  of  the  regiment  of  Agenois.  The  Count  de 
Rochambeau  ordered,  on  the  return  of  this  reconnoissance, 
the  camp  of  the  brigade  of  Bourbonnois  to  be  changed. 
We  withdrew  it  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  and 
established  ourselves  in  a wood,  a half  mile  in  advance  of 
our  first  position. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  at  daybreak,  the  Americans  began 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


137 


to  work  on  an  intermediate  redoubt,  between  those  evacu- 
ated on  the  side  of  the  French  and  that  one  evacuated  on 
the  side  of  the  Americans.  The  English  were  not  slow  in 
finding  it  out,  and  fired  at  least  three  hundred  cannon-shots 
in  the  course  of  the  day,  which  killed  only  two  men,  and  have 
not  interrupted  the  work. 

On  the  same  day,  I made  a special  reconnoissance  on  the 
enemy’s  left,  and  I did  not  find  the  defences  better  than  on 
the  side  that  I have  already  seen.  The  land  is  a little  more 
open,  and  gives  greater  facility  to  the  enemy  to  direct  his 
shots  at  our  works  ; but  that  is  the  only  advantage  which 
this  side  has  for  the  enemy.  I went  as  far  as  the  York 
Eiver,  and  I saw  all  the  English  vessels,  the  position  of 
Gloucester,  and  the  French  ships  which  blockade  the  river. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  the  Americans  keep  up  their  work 
on  the  redoubts  ; the  English  fire  at  them,  but  the  whole 
loss  of  the  day  has  been  only  one  man  killed. 

I have  made  to-day  my  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy’s 
right,  and  I consider  that  it  is  the  best  of  all  the  parts  of  his 
line  of  defence. 

The  fire  that  the  enemy  has  kept  up  for  the  last  two  days 
on  the  redoubts  which  the  Americans  are  building,  has  con- 
siderably slackened.  They  fire  no  more  than  a cannon  shot 
from  time  to  time. 

Rather  sharp  firing  was  heard  in  the  morning  from  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  after  which  Tarleton’s  cavalry  was 
seen  returning  in  a hurry  and  in  disorder.  We  think  that 
it  has  made  a sortie  from  the  lines  of  Gloucester  to  attack 
the  legion  of  Lauzun,  and  we  hope  that  it  has  been  driven 
back.72 


72  “ The  British  are  in  possession  of  a place  called  Gloucester,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  Yorktown;  their  force 


138 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


On  the  4th  of  October,  the  news  of  the  engagement  be- 
tween the  legion  of  Lauzun  and  Tarleton’s  cavalry  is  con- 
firmed ; the  legion  of  Lauzun  has  repulsed  Tarleton.  The 
Duke  de  Lauzun  has  charged  several  times;  he  was  sup- 
ported by  M.  de  Choisy,  who  had  just  arrived  with  eight 
hundred  marines. 

We  have  also  received  this  morning  the  authentic  news 
that  after  the  naval  fight  of  the  5th  of  September,  the  En- 
glish ship  of  the  line  “ Terrible,”  of  74  guns,  was  so  badly 
used  that  they  blew  her  up  ; moreover,  the  “ London,”  the 
“ Shrewsbury,”  the  “ Robust,”  and  the  “ Prudent,”  were  in 
bad  condition. 

In  the  night  of  the  4th-5th  of  October,  we  sent  out  from 
our  redoubts  more  patrols  than  ordinarily,  and  the  Vis- 
count de  Viomesnil,  general  officer  of  the  day,  expressly 
ordered  them  to  go  as  far  as  the  intrenchments  of  the 
enemy.  This  order  has  been  perfectly  executed;  almost 
all  our  patrols  have  fired  at  the  enemy,  and  it  seems  that 
this  has  caused  him  some  anxiety,  for  he  kept  up  during  the 
whole  night  considerable  and  sustained  cannonading.  The 
new  redoubt  which  the  Americans  have  built,  and  the  one 


consists  of  a British  regiment,  and  Colonel  Tarleton’s  legion  of  horse 
and  infantry.  In  opposition  to  this  force  the  French  legion,  under 
the  command  of  the  Duke  de  Lauzuu,  and  a detachment  of  French 
infantry  and  militia  are  posted  in  that  vicinity.  Tarleton  is  a bold 
and  impetuous  leader,  and  has  spread  terror  through  the  Carolinas 
and  Virginia  for  some  time  past.  In  making  a sally  from  Gloucester 
yesterday,  they  were  attacked  by  the  French,  and  defeated  with  the 
loss  of  the  commanding  officer  of  their  infantry,  and  about  fifty  men 
killed  and  wounded,  among  the  latter  is  Tarleton  himself.  The  Duke 
lost  three  men  killed,  and  two  officers  and  eleven  men  wounded.” 
Dr.  Thacker’s  Military  Journal.  2d  ed.,  p.  272. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


139 


which  the  English  evacuated,  and  they  repaired,  are  both  of 
them  completely  finished. 

The  night  of  the  5th-6th  was  passed  like  the  preceding, 
with  the  same  patrols  and  the  same  cannonading. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  everything  being  in  readiness  ; the 
fascines,  the  gabions,  the  hurdles,  and  the  saucissons  being 
made  ; almost  all  the  siege-guns  * having  arrived  ; the  place 
of  the  trenches  being  settled  upon,  — the  General  has  given 
the  order  to  open  them  this  very  evening. 

The  regiments  of  Bourbonnois  and  of  Soisonnois  have 
received  orders  for  duty  in  the  trenches,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  men  from  each  of  the  four  regiments  which  are  not 
in  the  trenches  (the  regiment  of  Touraine  being  on  special 
duty)  have  been  ordered  for  the  work.  All  these  troops 
were  assembled  at  the  beginning  of  the  trenches  at  five 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon  ; and  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil,  gen- 
eral officer  of  the  trenches,  immediately  disposed  the  regi- 
ments in  the  places  where  they  were  to  cover  them.  The 
engineer  officers,  after  night-fall,  placed  the  workmen,  and  at 
eight  o’clock  in  the  evening  the  work  began.  The  Ameri- 
cans, who  have  the  right  of  the  works  and  of  the  attack, 
have  made  a similar  disposition  ; the  work  has  been  very 
well  conducted,  and  in  the  greatest  silence.  The  enemy 
has  fired  very  little.  The  right  of  the  attack  begins  at  the 
York  River,  about  four  hundred  yards  from  the  town;  and 
the  parallel  extends,  increasing  from  one  hundred  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty  yards’  distance,  near  the  redoubt  newly 
built  by  the  Americans. 


* Our  siege-guns  were  put  aboard  the  ships  that  came  with  the 
squadron  of  the  Count  de  Barras.  They  were  landed  seven  miles 
from  Yorktown. 


18 


140 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


The  regiment  of  Touraine  is  detached  from  the  army,  and 
has  a special  duty.  It  is  charged  with  the  construction  of 
the  defence  of  a battery  of  eight  pieces  of  artillery,  and  of 
six  howitzers  and  mortars,  which  is  building  on  the  enemy’s 
right,  and  which  serves  as  a false  attack.  The  enemy  has 
directed  his  fire  to-night  upon  this  work.  A captain  of 
artillery  has  had  his  thigh  broken,  a grenadier  has  been 
killed,  and  six  others  have  been  wounded. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  the  regiment  of  Agenois  and  the 
regiment  of  Saint  Onge  relieved  the  trenches  at  noon. 
They  are  now  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  occupied  by  the 
first  battalions  of  the  regiments  of  the  trenches  ; the  second 
battalions  are  placed  in  the  ravines  to  the  rear,  but  within 
supporting  distance  of  the  first  battalions,  at  the  first  move- 
ment of  the  enemy. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  the  regiments  of  Gatinois  and  of 
Royal  Deuxponts  were  detailed  for  duty  in  the  trenches  ; we 
worked  hard  on  the  batteries,  which  seem  to  me  to  be  placed 
perfectly  ; and  I hope  that  we  shall  very  soon  see  the  effect 
of  them. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  the  regiments  of  Bourbonnois  and 
of  Soisonnois  relieved  the  trenches  ; at  four  o’clock  in  the 
afternoon,  an  American  battery  of  two  mortars  and  eighteen 
pieces  of  artillery,  eighteen  pounders  and  twenty-four  pound- 
ers, began  to  fire,  and  the  battery  of  the  regiment  of  Tou- 
raine also  began. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  one  of  the  batteries  of  our  front 
of  attack,  composed  of  four  twenty-four-pounders,  eight  six- 
teen-pounders, four  mortars,  and  two  howitzers,  has  been 
unmasked,  and  we  have  begun  to  make  it  play.  The  superi- 
ority of  the  fire  of  these  different  batteries  over  those  of  the 
enemy,  silenced  the  firing  from  the  town.  All  our  guns 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


141 


have  been  well  aimed  ; several  parapets  can  already  be  seen 
with  their  tops  damaged  ; and  we  know,  from  the  reports 
of  several  deserters,  that  the  enemy  has  been  much  aston- 
ished at  the  firing  of  our  batteries,  and  that  our  shells, 
especially,  disturb  him  much.  He  fires  now  scarcely,  six 
guns  an  hour,  while  heretofore  he  has  kept  up  rather  a 
steady  fire,  and  well  directed  ; nevertheless,  we  have  had  no 
reason  to  complain  of  the  number  of  men  killed  and  wounded. 
The  trenches  have  been  filled  to-day  by  the  regiments  of 
Agenois  and  of  Saint  Onge.  The  enemy  wishing  this  morn- 
ing to  make  an  attempt  on  M.  de  Choisy,  sent  up  the  river 
several  flat-boats  full  of  troops  ; but  M.  de  Choisy,  knowing 
his  design,  brought  some  guns  and  forced  him  to  retire. 

On  the  11th  of  October,  the  regiments  of  Gatinois  and 
of  Royal  Deuxponts  relieved  the  trenches,  and  the  same  night 
we  constructed  our  second  parallel  within  short  musket 
range  of  the  town,  to  be  ready  against  a vigorous  sortie. 
Several  companies  were  ordered  in  consequence  as  auxiliary 
grenadiers  and  chasseurs  ; and  the  Chevalier  de  Chastellux, 
general  officer  of  the  trenches,  made  such  disposition  of  the 
troops  as  to  receive  the  enemy  in  the  most  advantageous 
manner.  At  eight  o’clock  in  the  evening  we  began  the 
work  ; at  ten  o’clock  we  heard  a score  of  musket  shots  ; 
everybody  thought  that  it  was  the  beginning  of  an  attack, 
but  it  was  only  an  English  patrol.  There  were  several 
small  volleys  of  this  kind  during  the  night,  and  it  is  to  this 
all  the  outside  attempts  of  the  enemy  are  confined.  Never- 
theless, they  fire  many  cannon,  bombs,  and  howitzers  ; but 
the  fire  of  our  artillery  preserves  its  superiority,  and  the 
fire  of  the  enemy  has  very  little  effect.  At  daybreak,  our 
men  were  sufficiently  covered  to  be  safe  from  running  any 
more  great  risks. 


142 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


The  fear  lest  the  fire  of  our  batteries,  but  slightly  ele- 
vated over  the  heads  of  the  workmen,  should  produce  some 
accident,  caused  the  order  to  our  artillery  to  be  suspended. 
The  enemy  took  advantage  of  this  moment  of  silence  to 
direct  a very  brisk  fire  against  our  works.  The  order  to 
the  artillery  was  then  countermanded,  and  they  gave  again 
our  batteries  liberty  to  fire.  Half  an  hour  after  our  fire 
began,  that  of  the  enemy  diminished  ; and  when  we  went 
into  the  trenches,  it  was  reduced  to  what  it  was  ordinarily. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  the  regiments  of  Bourbonnois  and 
of  Soisonnois  relieved  the  trenches. 

On  the  13th,  the  regiments  of  Agenois  and  of  Saint  Onge 
were  detailed  for  duty  in  the  trenches  ; the  position  of  all 
the  batteries  of  the  second  parallel  is  masked,  and  in  two 
days  they  will  be  able  to  open.  Two  redoubts  of  the  enemy 
interrupt  completely  the  continuation  of  our  second  parallel, 
which  ought  of  necessity  to  be  continued  to  the  York  River. 
As  long  as  these  two  works  belong  to  the  enemy,  our  parallel 
will  be  imperfect  ; and  we  all  hope  that  they  will  be  attacked 
at  once. 

On  the  14th  of  October,  the  regiments  of  Gatinois  and 
of  Royal  Deuxponts  relieved  the  trenches  ; at  the  assembly 
of  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts  for  duty  in  the  trenches, 
the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  ordered  me  to  come  to  him  on  our 
arrival  at  the  beginning  of  the  trenches.  I carried  out  his 
orders;  he  separated  the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the 
two  regiments  of  the  trenches,  and  gave  me  the  command 
of  the  battalion  that  he  had  just  formed,  telling  me  that  he 
thought  he  gave  me  by  that  a proof  of  his  esteem  and  con- 
fidence. His  words  were  not  enigmatical  to  me  ; I was  not 
mistaken  as  to  the  object  for  which  he  intended  me.  A 
moment  afterwards  he  confirmed  my  opinion,  telling  me  that 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


143 


I should  make  the  attack  on  one  of  the  redoubts  which 
obstructed  the  continuation  of  our  second  parallel.  He 
gave  me  orders  to  place  my  battalion  under  cover,  and  to 
wait  until  he  should  send  for  me  to  make  with  him  a recon- 
noissance  of  the  redoubt.  In  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  he 
took  me,  with  the  Baron  de  L’Estrade,  lieutenant-colonel  of 
the  regiment  of  Gatinois,  whom  he  had  given  to  me  as 
second  in  command,  and  two  sergeants  from  the  grenadiers 
and  chasseurs  of  this  regiment,  men  as  brave  as  they  were 
intelligent,  and  who  were  charged  particularly  to  reconnoitre 
with  the  strictest  exactitude  the  road  which  we  should  have 
to  follow  during  the  night.  We  examined  with  the  greatest 
care  the  object  of  the  attack,  and  all  the  details.  The  Gen- 
eral explained  very  clearly  to  us  his  plans.  M.  de  L'Estrade, 
on  account  of  his  experience,  and  the  perfect  knowledge 
which  he  has  of  the  course  to  take  under  like  circumstances, 
would,  moreover,  make  up  for  the  blunders  which  I might 
commit.  The  General  ordered  me  at  once  to  form  my  bat- 
talion, and  to  lead  it  to  that  part  of  the  trenches  nearest  to 
which  we  ought  to  come  out.  I called  together  the  cap- 
tains of  my  battalion,  and  told  them  the  duty  with  which  we 
were  honored.  I had  no  occasion  to  excite  their  courage, 
nor  that  of  the  troops  whom  I commanded  ; but  it  was  my 
duty  to  let  them  know  the  wishes  of  the  General,  and  the 
exact  order  in  which  we  were  to  attack  the  enemy. 

We  then  started  to  go  into  the  trenches;  we  passed  by 
many  troops,  either  of  the  trenches,  of  workmen,  or  of  the 
auxiliary  grenadiers  and  chasseurs.  Everybody  wished  me 
success  and  glory,  and  expressed  regrets  at  not  being 
able  to  go  with  me.  That  moment  seemed  to  me  very  sweet, 
and  was  very  elevating  to  the  soul  and  animating  to  the 
courage.  My  brother,  — especially,  my  brother,  and  I never 


144 


MY  CAMPAIGN'S  IN  AMERICA. 


shall  forget  it,  — gave  me  marks  of  a tenderness  which  pen- 
etrated to  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  I reached  the  place 
that  the  Baron  de  Viomesnil  had  indicated  to  me  ; I there 
awaited  nightfall  ; and  shortly  after  dark,  the  General  ordered 
me  to  leave  the  trenches,  and  to  draw  up  my  column  in  the 
order  of  attack.  He  informed  me  of  the  signal  of  six  con- 
secutive shells,  fired  from  one  of  our  batteries,  at  which  I 
was  to  advance  ; and  in  this  position  I awaited  the  signal 
agreed  upon. 

The  chasseurs  of  the  regiment  of  Gatinois  had  the  head 
of  my  column.  They  were  in  column  by  platoons  ; the  first 
fifty  carried  fascines  ; of  the  other  fifty  there  were  only  eight 
who  carried  ladders  ; after  them  came  the  grenadiers  of 
Gatinois,  ranged  by  files,  then  the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
of  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts,  in  column  by  sections. 
The  whole  was  preceded  by  the  two  sergeants  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Gatinois,  of  whom  I have  already  spoken,  and  by 
eight  carpenters,  four  from  the  regiment  of  Gatinois,  and 
four  from  the  regiment  of  Royal  Deuxponts.  The  chas- 
seurs of  the  regiments  of  Bourbonnois  and  of  Agenois,  were 
a hundred  paces  to  the  rear  of  my  battalion,  and  were  in- 
tended to  support  me  ; and  the  second  battalion  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Gatinois,  commanded  by  the  Count  de  Rostaing, 
completed  my  reserve.  Before  starting,  I had  ordered  that 
no  one  should  fire  before  reaching  the  crest  of  the  parapet 
of  the  redoubt  ; and  when  established  upon  the  parapet,  that 
no  one  should  jump  into  the  works  before  receiving  the 
orders  to  do  so. 

The  attack  of  the  French  troops  was  combined  with  that 
which  the  American  troops  were  making  on  my  right,  upon 
a redoubt  which  rested  on  the  York  River.  This  redoubt 
was  of  equal  importance  on  account  of  the  obstacle  which  it 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


145 


interposed  to  the  continuation  of  the  second  parallel.  The 
Marquis  de  Lafayette  commanded  this  attack,  which  was 
to  be  made  at  the  same  time,  and  was  to  begin  at  the  same 
signal  as  our  attack. 

The  six  shells  were  fired  at  last;  and  I advanced  in  the 
greatest  silence  ; at  a hundred  and  twenty  or  thirty  paces,  we 
were  discovered  ; and  the  Hessian  soldier  who  was  stationed 
as  a sentinel  on  the  parapet,  cried  out  “Werda”?  [Who 
comes  there?]*  to  which  we  did  not  reply,  but  hastened 
our  steps.  The  enemy  opened  fire  the  instant  after  the 
“Werda.”  We  lost  not  a moment  in  reaching  the  abatis, 
which  being  strong  and  well  preserved,  at  about  twenty-five 
paces  from  the  redoubt,  cost  us  many  men,  and  stopped  us 
for  some  minutes,  but  was  cleared  away  with  brave  deter- 
mination; we  threw  ourselves  into  the  ditch  at  once,  and 
each  one  sought  to  break  through  the  fraises,  and  to  mount 
the  parapet.f  We  reached  there  at  first  in  small  numbers, 
and  I gave  the  order  to  fire  ; the  ênerny  kept  up  a sharp 
fire,  and  charged  us  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet;  but 
no  one  was  driven  back.  The  carpenters,  who  had 
worked  hard  on  their  part,  had  made  some  breaches  in  the 
palisades,  which  helped  the  main  body  of  the  troops  in 
mounting.  The  parapet  was  becoming  manned  visibly. 


* The  English  officers  taken  in  the  redoubt  have  told  me  since,  that 
the  moment  we  were  discovered  was  seized  by  the  English  com- 
mander, named  MacPherson,  and  by  thirty  men,  to  save  themselves 
ignominiously. 

t That  was  not  an  easy  thing  to  do.  I could  not  have  succeeded 
without  aid.  I had  fallen  back  into  the  ditch  after  a first  attempt. 
M.  de  Sillegue,  a young  officer  of  the  chasseurs  of  Gatinois,  who  was 
ahead  of  me,  saw  my  difficulty,  and  gave  me  his  arm  to  assist  me  in 
getting  up.  He  received  at  nearly  the  same  time  a musket  shot  in  the 
thigh. 


146 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


Our  fire  was  increasing,  and  making  terrible  havoc  among 
the  enemy,  who  had  placed  themselves  behind  a kind  of 
intrenchment  of  barrels,  where  they  were  well  massed,  and 
where  all  our  shots  told.  We  succeeded  at  the  moment 
when  1 wished  to  give  the  order  to  leap  into  the  redoubt 
and  charge  upon  the  enemy  with  the  bayonet  ; then  they  laid 
down  their  arms,  and  we  leaped  in  with  more  tranquillity 
and  less  risk.  I shouted  immediately  the  cry  of  Vive 
le  Roi , which  was  repeated  by  all  the  grenadiers  and  chas- 
seurs who  were  in  good  condition,  by  all  the  troops  in  the 
trenches,  and  to  which  the  enemy  replied  by  a general 
discharge  of  artillery  and  musketry.73  I never  saw  a sight 
more  beautiful  or  more  majestic.  I did  not  stop  to  look  at 
it  ; I had  to  give  attention  to  the  wounded,  and  directions 
to  be  observed  towards  the  prisoners.  At  the  same  time, 
the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  came  to  give  me  orders  to  be  pre- 
pared for  a vigorous  defence,  as  it  would  be  important  for 
the  enemy  to  attempt  to  "retake  this  work.  An  active  enemy 
would  not  have  failed,  and  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  judged 
the  English  general  by  himself.  I made  my  dispositions  to 
the  best  of  my  ability  ; the  enemy  showered  bullets  upon 
us.  I did  not  doubt  that  the  idea  of  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil 
would  be  fulfilled.  Finally,  when  all  was  over,  a sentinel, 
charged  with  observing  the  movements  without,  called  me, 
and  said  that  some  of  the  enemy  were  appearing.  I raised 
my  head  above  the  parapet,  and  at  the  same  time  a ball, 


73  “ The  French  chasseurs  and  grenadiers  met  with  more  difficulties 
and  greater  loss  ; but  they  entered  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  made 
themselves  masters  of  the  redoubt.  The  Count  de  Deuxponts,  the 
Count  Charles  de  Damas,  and  several  other  French  officers  of  distinc- 
tion were  amongst  the  foremost  of  the  assailants.”  History  of  the 
Campaigns  o/1780  and  1781,  p.  386. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


147 


which  ricochetted  in  the  parapet,  and  passed  very  near  my 
head,  covered  my  face  with  sand  and  gravel.  I suffered 
much,  and  was  obliged  to  leave  the  place,  and  to  be  con- 
ducted to  the  ambulance. 

Fifty-six  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the  regiment  of 
Gatinois,  twenty-one  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the  Royal 
Deuxponts, 74  six  chasseurs  of  the  Agenois,  and  nine  soldiers 
of  the  second  battalion  of  the  Gatinois,  have  been  killed  or 
wounded,  in  this  attack,  which  lasted  only  seven  minutes. 
Moreover,  M.  de  Barthelot,  captain  of  the  regiment  of  Gati- 
nois, was  killed  ; M.  de  Sireuil,  captain  of  the  chasseurs  of 
this  regiment,*  had  his  leg  broken,  and  M.  de  Sillegue, 
second  lieutenant  of  chasseurs,  was  shot  through  his  thigh. 
The  Chevalier  de  La  Meth  received  two  musket  balls,  one 
of  which  broke  his  knee-pan,  and  the  other  pierced  his 
thigh.75  He  volunteered  for  this  attack,  as  also  did  the 
Count  de  Hamas  ; I endeavored  to  prevent  their  doing  so  ; 
but  neither  of  them  listened  to  the  representations  that  would 


* M.  de  Sireuil  died  forty  days  after,  from  the  effects  of  his  wound. 


74 General  Washington  gave  “to  the  regiments  of  Agenois  [Gati- 
nois?] and  Deuxponts  the  two  pieces  of  brass  ordnance  captured 
by  them,  as  a testimony  of  their  gallantry  in  storming  the  enemy’s 
redoubt  on  the  night  of  the  14th  instant,”  which  gift  was  afterwards 
confirmed  by  a resolve  of  Congress.  Memoir  of  General  John  Lamb. 
Albany,  1850,  p.  387. 

75  “ I had  just  been  relieved  by  the  Chevalier  de  Lameth.  He  marched 
at  the  head  of  the  column,  leading  the  sappers,  who  cleared  away  the 
abatis,  and  cut  down  the  palisades.  He  was  the  first  to  mount  the 
parapet  of  the  redoubt,  and  received  point  blank  the  first  discharge 
of  the  Hessian  infantry  which  occupied  it.  Balls  passed  through  both 
his  knees,  and  he  fell  into  the  ditch.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut. -général  M. 
Dumas , i.  85. 

19 


148 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


have  kept  them  from  glory.  The  Count  de  Yauban  was  also 
at  my  attack,  and  was  charged  by  the  Count  de  Rochambeau 
to  be  present  in  order  to  give  him  an  account  of  the  affair.76 


76  The  following  account  of  this  affair  is  taken  from  the  Boston 
Evening  Post , November  17,  1781. 

“ Copy  of  the  report  of  his  Excellency  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  : 

“On  the  night  between  the  14th  and  15th  instant,  the  trench  was 
mounted  by  the  regiments  of  Gatinois  and  Royal  Deuxponts,  com- 
manded by  the  Baron  de  Viomesnil,  to  which  were  added  our  com- 
panies of  auxiliary  grenadiers.  We  had  resolved  to  attack  as  soon 
as  dark,  the  two  redoubts  on  the  left  of  the  enemy,  that  were  de- 
tached from  their  other  works.  The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  undertook 
that  on  our  right,  with  the  American  troops  ; the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil 
that  on  the  left,  with  the  French.  Four  hundred  grenadiers,  com- 
manded by  the  Count  William  Deuxponts  and  M.  de  L’Estrade,  lieut. 
colonel  of  Gatinois,  opened  the  attack  ; they  were  supported  by  the 
regiment  of  Gatinois.  The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  the  Baron 
Yiomesnil  made  so  vigorous  and  strong  disposition  of  their  troops, 
that  they  carried  two  redoubts  sword  in  hand,  and  killed,  wounded, 
or  took  the  greater  part  of  those  who  defended  them.  The  number 
of  prisoners  amounts  to  seventy-three,  one  major  and  live  other 
officers  included. 

“ The  troops,  both  American  and  French,  have  shown  the  most  dis- 
tinguished courage.  The  Count  William  Deuxponts  was  slightly 
wounded  by  a cannon  ball  ; he  is  not  in  the  least  danger.  The  Chev- 
alier de  la  Methe,  Adjutant  Quarter-Master-General,  has  been  severely 
wounded  in  both  knees  by  two  different  musket  balls.  M.  de  Sireuil, 
captain  of  the  chasseurs  of  the  regiment  of  Aginois,  and  two  other 
officers  of  the  same  regiment  have  been  wounded.  ’Tis  the  third 
time  that  M.  de  Sireuil,  though  very  young,  has  been  wounded  ; un- 
luckily, this  time,  the  wound  is  very  dangerous.  We  have  had  ten 
men  killed  or  wounded.  The  troops  are  full  of  the  highest  praises 
of  the  Baron  de  Viomesnil,  w'ho  likewise  is  exceedingly  pleased  with 
their  courage  and  firmness. 

“ I have  ordered  two  days’  pay  to  be  distributed  to  the  four  compa- 
nies of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of  the  regiment  of  Gatinois  and 
Royal  Deuxponts,  besides  a considerable  reward  to  the  ax-bearers 
and  carpenters,  who  open  the  way  for  the  troops  through  the  abattis 
and  pallisadoes.” 


MT  CAMPAIGXS  IX  AMERICA. 


149 


With  troops  so  good,  so  brave,  and  so  disciplined  as  those 
that  I have  the  honor  to  lead  against  the  enemy,  one  can 
undertake  anything,  and  be  sure  of  succeeding,  if  the  im- 
possibility of  it  has  not  been  proved.  I owe  them  the  hap- 
piest day  of  my  life,  and  certainly  the  recollection  of  it  will 
never  be  effaced  from  my  mind.  Would  that  I were  able  to 
find  myself,  under  like  circumstances,  again  with  them  ; and 
would  that  I were  able,  especially  after  having  again  been 
happy  through  their  means,  to  give  them  proofs,  more  real 
and  more  fit,  of  my  zeal  and  my  ardor  to  serve  them. 

In  the  course  of  that  night,  the  second  parallel  was  con- 
tinued. It  crosses  the  redoubt  taken  by  the  French  and 
ends  at  the  redoubt  taken  by  the  Americans,  whose  attack 
was  equally  successful  with  ours. 

The  day  of  the  loth  of  October  was  employed  in  per- 
fecting the  second  parallel.  In  the  night  of  the  15th— 16th, 
the  enemy  made  an  assault  ; the  trenches  were  not  guarded 
with  all  desirable  precaution;  many  slept;  there  were  few 
sentinels  ; a picket  that  distrusted  nothing  ; some  batteries, 
where  there  was  nobody.  In  short,  the  enemy  succeeded  in 
spiking  four  guns  of  a French  battery,  and  two  of  an  Amer- 
ican battery.77  We  marched  out  forthwith  against  the  ene- 


77  General  Washington,  in  a letter,  dated  Oct.  16th,  1781,  says  : 

“ The  works  which  we  have  carried,  are  of  vast  importance  to  us. 
From  them  we  shall  enfilade  the  enemy’s  whole  line  ; and  I am  in 
hopes  we  shall  be  able  to  command  the  communication  from  York  to 
Gloucester.  I think  the  batteries  of  the  second  parallel  will  be  in 
sufficient  forwardness  to  begin  to  play  in  the  course  of  this  day.  The 
enemy  last  night  made  a sortie  for  the  first  time.  They  entered  one 
of  the  French  and  one  of  the  American  batteries  on  the  second  par- 
allel, which  were  unfinished.  They  had  only  time  to  thrust  the  points 
of  their  bayonets  into  the  touch-holes  of  four  pieces  of  the  French 
and  two  of  the  American  artillery,  and  break  them  off;  but  the  spikes 


150 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


my  ; but  his  retreat  was  already  begun,  and  we  could  not 
overtake  him.  The  guns  that  were  spiked  were  rendered 
serviceable  on  the  morning  of  the  16th;  almost  all  our  bat- 
teries will  be  established  and  ready  to  open  to-morrow. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  we  began  at  ricochet  with  so 
much  success,  that  a large  part  of  the  fraises  of  the  works 
of  the  place  were  knocked  down,  and  in  several  places 
breaches  were  begun.  At  ten  o’clock  in  the  morning,  Lord 
Cornwallis  sent  a flag  of  truce  to  General  Washington,  to 
decide  the  fate  of  the  garrisons  of  Yorktown  and  Gloucester, 
and  to  demand  a suspension  of  hostilities.  From  that 
moment  they  began  to  make  arrangements  for  capitulation  ; 
but  they  continued  to  fire  until  four  o’clock,  when  by  means 
of  a new  flag  of  truce,  the  firing  stopped  on  both  sides. 
Negotiations  are  entered  upon,  and  we  are  assured  that 
even  the  principal  articles  are  already  agreed  upon. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  the  arrangements  for  capitulation 
have  been  continued.  Some  little  discussion,  they  say,  came 
up  which  delayed  the  conclusion  ; but  this  evening  arrange- 
ments have  been  definitively  settled. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  at  nine  o’clock  in  the  morning, 


were  easily  extracted.  They  were  repulsed  the  moment  the  support- 
ing troops  came  up,  leaving  behind  them  seven  or  eight  dead,  and  six 
prisoners.  The  French  had  four  officers  and  twelve  privates  killed 
and  wounded,  and  we  had  one  sergeant  mortally  wounded.”  Sparks’s 
Washington,  viii.  180. 

“In  the  night  of  the  15th,  the  enemy  made  a sortie  with  six  hun- 
dred chosen  troops,  and  finding  all  our  redoubts  well  manned, 
attacked  a battery  of  the  second  parallel,  where  he  spiked  four  pieces. 
The  Chevalier  de  Chatelus  with  his  reserve,  repulsed  this  sortie  of 
the  enemy.  The  four  pieces,  badly  spiked,  were  in  good  condition 
six  hours  afterwards,  through  the  care  of  General  d’ Aboville,  com- 
mander of  our  artillery.”  Hochambeau’s  Mémoires , i.  291-5. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


151 


the  articles  were  signed;  and  at  four  o’clock  in  the  after- 
noon, the  English  army,  as  prisoners  of  war,  composed  of 
the  First  Battalion  of  the  Guards  of  the  King  of  England  ; 
of  the  Seventeenth,  Twenty-Third,  Thirty-Third,  and  Forty- 
Third  Regiments  of  Infantry  ; of  the  Seventy -First,  Seventy- 
Sixth,  and  Eightieth  Regiments  of  Scotch  Highlanders  ; 
of  the  Hessian  Regiments  of  the  Hereditary  Prince  and  of 
Bose,  of  the  Anspach  and  Baireuth  Regiments  ; of  the  Light 
Infantry,  of  the  British  Legion,  and  of  the  Queen’s  Rangers,78 
have  filed  between  the  French  and  American  armies,  drawn 
up  in  line  of  battle,  the  one  opposite  the  other.  The  cap- 
tured army  immediately  laid  down  their  arms,  and  returned 
without  arms  to  Yorktown.79  The  regiments  of  Bourbonnois 
and  of  Royal  Deuxponts,  which  were  in  the  trenches  when  the 
negotiations  began,  were  not  relieved  until  after  the  cere- 
mony. 


78  A partisan  corps,  made  up  for  the  most  part  of  tories  and  desert- 
ers from  the  Americans. 

79  It  was  only  a year  and  a half  before  this  time,  that  Lord  Corn- 
wallis had  received  the  sword  of  General  Lincoln,  at  the  surrender  of 
Charleston  ; and  the  same  rigid  conditions  which  he  required  at  that 
time  were  now  exacted  from  him.  “We  learn  that  General  Lincoln 
received  the  captured  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  that  the  army  played  up 
Yankey  doodle  when  the  British  army  marched  to  lay  down  their 
arms.”  Boston  Independent  Ledger,  Nov.  12,  1781. 

Until  recently  the  custom  has  prevailed  in  some  parts  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  perhaps  elsewhere,  of  celebrating  occasionally  the  anni- 
versary of  the  surrender  of  Yorktown.  Such  a celebration  was  called 
a “ Cornwallis  ” ; and  it  was  intended  to  represent,  in  a burlesque 
manner,  the  siege  of  the  town,  as  well  as  the  ceremony  of  the  sur- 
render. The  most  prominent  generals  on  each  side  would  be  person- 
ated, while  the  men  of  the  two  armies  would  wear  what  was  supposed 
to  be  their  peculiar  uniform.  In  10  Cushing,  252,  is  to  be  found  a 
decision  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  of  Massachusetts,  enjoining  a 
town  treasurer  from  paying  money  that  had  been  appropriated  by  the 
town  for  such  a celebration. 


152 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


The  number  of  the  enemy  captured,  as  many  soldiers  as 
sailors,  is  more  than  eight  thousand  ; two  hundred  and  four- 
teen guns,  of  which  seventy-four  are  brass,  fell  into  our 
hands. 

On  the  21st  of  October,  the  different  captured  regiments 
came  out  regiment  by  regiment  from  Yorktown,  to  be  con- 
ducted to  their  different  destinations,  either  in  Virginia, 
Maryland,  or  Pennsylvania. 

Orders  were  given  to  the  assistant  quartermasters  of  the 
army  to  establish  lodgings  for  the  French  army,  which  was 
immediately  to  take  winter  quarters,  and  to  occupy  the 
towns  of  Williamsburg,  Hampton,  Yorktown,  and  Glouces- 
ter.80 

The  Count  de  Rochambeau  was  pleased  to  tell  me  that 
lie  had  detailed  me  to  take  to  France  the  duplicate  of  the 
news  of  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  ; and  he  ordered 
me  to  hold  myself  in  readiness  to  embark  at  the  earliest 
date.81 

On  the  24th  of  October,  after  having  taken  orders  from 
the  Count  de  Rochambeau,  and  having  received  the  packages 


80  “The  French  army  went  into  winter  quarters  in  the  country 
between  James  and  York  Rivers,  Hampton,  York,  Gloucester,  Wil- 
liamsburg, etc.,  an  intermediate  position  betwen  the  Northern  anct 
Southern  States,  from  which  M.  de  Rochambeau  was  able  to  send 
succor  to  the  provinces  which  might  be  the  most  seriously  threat- 
ened by  the  enemy.”  Souvenirs  du  lieut.- général  M.  Dumas , i.  91-2. 

81  The  Count  de  Rochambeau  sent  the  Duke  de  Lauzun  to  France  to 
take  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  by  one  frigate,  and  the 
Count  des  Deuxponts  by  another  [the  Andromaque,']  taking  a dupli- 
cate account.  Mémoires,  i.  296.  On  page  301,  he  speaks  of  hear- 
ing in  the  beginning  of  1782,  of  their  safe  arrival  in  France.  The 
news  of  the  surrender  of  Yorktown  first  reached  London,  Nov.  25th, 
by  the  way  of  France.  Jesse’s  Life  of  George  the  Third.  London, 
1867,  ii.  333,  note. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


153 


which  he  had  intrusted  to  me,  I embarked  at  Yorktown  to 
go  to  the  fleet,  and  to  take  orders  from  the  Count  de  G-rasse. 
I slept  on  board  of  the  “Tille  de  Paris,”8-  and  on  the  25th, 
M.  de  Dumas,  de  Laval,  de  Charlus,  and  myself,  embarked 
on  board  of  the  frigate  “ Andromaque,”  upon  which  we  are 
going  to  leave  for  France. 

On  the  26th,  we  were  kept  back  by  the  winds;  on  the 
27th,  at  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  set  sail  with  a fair 
fresh  wind.  After  having  passed  the  Middle  Ground  Banks,* 
the  moment  we  found  ourselves  off  Cape  Henry,  we  saw  the 
frigate  “ Concorde  ” making  signals  to  us,  repeating  those  of 
the  frigate  “ Hermione,”  which  was  cruising  between  Cape 
Charles  and  Cape  Henry,  to  inform  the  army  of  whatever 
went  on  outside.  The  “ Hermione  ” signalized  a squadron 
of  forty-four  sails.83  There  was  no  reason  to  doubt  that 


* The  Count  de  Grasse,  who  had  been  lying  moored  since  the  be- 
ginning of  his  station  in  Lynn  Haven  Bay,  had  left  that  position,  and 
had  anchored  behind  the  Middle  Ground  Banks.84 


88  This  was  a noted  ship  in  the  French  navy.  She  was  a present 
from  the  City  of  Paris  to  the  King,  and  carried  110  guns.  She  was 
captured  by  the  English,  April  12th,  1782,  and  afterwards  foundered 
at  sea. 

83  “The  Andromache  was  about  to  hoist  sail  on  the  28th,  to  carry 
duplicates  of  the  same  despatches  ; but  returned  into  the  bay  ; the 
frigates  on  the  watch  having  signalled  the  English  fleet;  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th,  thirty-one  sails  could  be  already  made  out  oflf 
Cape  Charles  ; by  evening,  forty -four  were  signalled  ; the  30th,  they 
made  various  manœuvres,  sometimes  on  one  tack,  sometimes  on  the 
other;  at  last,  at  three,  they  stood  on  the  larboard  tack,  with  the 
wind  on  the  quarter,  and  we  saw  no  more  of  them.”  Operations  of 
the  French  Fleet,  p.  164. 

84  “ The  Count  de  Grasse  then  left  the  anchorage  of  Lynn  Haven, 
where  ships  are  not  safe,  and  occupied  that  beyond  Middle  Ground 


154 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


they  were  the  enemy,  of  whom  we  had  been  informed  three 
days  before.  It  was  now  impossible  for  us  to  continue  our 
course,  and  we  put  about,  to  return  to  the  James  River. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  the  enemy  continued  to  cruise 
within  sight,  and  we  learn  that  they  bring  six  thousand 
infantry  to  the  aid  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  I imagine  that  they 
will  soon  learn  of  his  surrender,  and  that  they  will  give  up 
the  idea  of  attacking  thirty-six  French  vessels  with  their 
twenty-eight  vessels.  Our  position  in  the  James  River  not 
being  very  good,  we  set  sail  to-day  to  return  to  the  main 
squadron,  of  which  we  shall  await  the  departure  before  we 
leave  ourselves. 

On  the  29th,  the  English  squadron  is  continually  in  sight, 
and  we  wait  with  impatience  for  the  Count  de  Grasse  to 
make  the  signal  to  set  sail.  We  went  to-day  on  board  of 
his  ship  ; he  is  suffering  considerably  from  a severe  oppres- 
sion in  breathing  [asthma?].  We  there  learned  that  the 
reasons  of  the  delay  in  his  leaving,  are  the  embarkation 
of  the  troops  of  the  division  of  M.  de  St.  Simon.  He  is 
expecting,  moreover,  four  hundred  oxen  to  provision  the 
fleet;  and  not  wishing  to  return  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  he 
is  obliged  to  wait  until  his  vessels  are  all  ready. 

On  the  30th  of  October,  there  was  no  knowledge  of  the 
enemy  this  morning. 

On  the  1st  of  November,  as  the  enemy  had  not  appeared 
for  two  days,  the  Count  de  Grasse  sent  an  ensign  on  board 
of  the  “ Andromaque,”  to  wish  us  a pleasant  voyage,  and  to 


and  Horseshoe  Bank.”  Supplement  à la  Gazette  de  France,  20  Nov. 
1781.  Translated  by  Henry  B.  Dawson,  Esq.,  and  found  on  page  37 
of  Two  Letters  respecting  the  Conduct  of  Bear  Admiral  Graves.  Mor- 
risania,  N.  Y.,  1866. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


155 


permit  our  captain,  M.  de  Ravanel,  to  set  sail.  We  got 
under  way  at  eleven  o’clock,  passed  Cape  Henry  at  two 
o’clock,  and  afterwards  brought  it  to  bear  east.  The  “ Her- 
mione  ” escorted  us  until  night. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  at  half-past  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing, we  discovered  a sail  at  a great  distance,  which  immedi- 
ately gave  us  chase.  The  orders  of  the  Count  de  Grasse  to 
avoid  every  action,  were  precise  and  clear;  and  for  that 
reason  we  set  all  sail  to  escape.  This  vessel  sailed  better 
than  ours,  which  did  not  sail  well  ; and  if  the  day  had  lasted 
two  hours  longer,  she  would  have  come  up  with  us.  We 
took  a false  course  during  the  night,  and  the  next  day  we 
could  discover  nothing. 

From  the  2d  to  the  20th  of  November,  the  day  of  our 
arrival  in  France,  we  made  a good  run.  The  fresh  and 
strong  winds  drove  us  along  better  than  we  could  expect 
from  the  speed  of  our  frigate.  The  passage  was  rough  ; we 
experienced  some  gales,  but  they  favored  our  wishes,  and 
accomplished  our  object.  After  a passage  of  nineteen  days, 
we  made  the  coast  of  France  ; and  on  the  24th  of  November, 
I enjoyed  the  inexpressible  pleasure  of  embracing,  at  Ver- 
sailles, those  persons  who  are  to  me  the  dearest. 

The  life  of  man  is  mingled  with  pain  ; but  one  ought  not 
to  complain  when  he  has  enjoyed  those  delicious  moments 
which  are  its  compensations.  A single  instant  makes  him 
forget  them  ; and  that  instant  deeply  felt  makes  him  even 
desire  new  pains,  in  order  to  enjoy  again  their  recompense. 

20 


END. 


156 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


[LETTERS.] 

Letter  which  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil,  commanding  gen- 
eral of  the  attack  on  the  two  redoubts,  wrote,  in  sending  me 
the  account  he  gave  of  these  attacks  to  the  Count  de  Ro- 
chambeau  : 

In  Camp  front  of  Yorktown,  16  October,  1181. 

You  have  done  so  much,  Count,  for  the  success,  which  is 
going  to  hasten  the  capitulation  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  that  I 
must  make  it  my  duty  to  address  you  herewith  a copy  of 
the  account  which  I gave  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  of 
the  events  in  the  trenches  on  the  14th— 15th.  If  I was  mis- 
taken in  regard  to  certain  things  which  you  could  see  before, 
you  will  do  me  great  pleasure  in  giving  me  notice  of  it,  so 
that  I can  correct  my  errors.  I have  a strong  desire  that 
the  promotion  I asked  for  you  and  for  M.  de  L’Estrade,  your 
comrade  in  glory,  should  be  accorded.  I believe  the  good 
of  the  service  is  interested  in  it.  Events  of  this  kind  are  so 
rare,  the  service  which  you  have  rendered  has  been  so  use- 
ful, and  the  distinction  and  the  energy  of  your  conduct  are 
so  well  known  throughout  the  whole  army,  that  I do  not 
think  there  exists  a single  Frenchman  who  could  disapprove 
of  your  being  made  brigadier. 

As  for  myself,  Count,  I am  too  happy  in  being  able  to 
find  this  occasion  of  proving  to  you  my  opinion  and  my  con- 
fidence ; I desire  that  this  should  prompt  you  to  accord  to 
me  your  friendship,  and  to  continue  to  make  some  account 
of  the  sentiments  of  the  tender  and  faithful  attachment  with 
which  I have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

[Signed] 


Viomesnil. 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


157 


Account  rendered  by  the  Baron  de  Yiomesnil  to  the  Count 
de  Rochambeau,  of  the  attack  on  the  two  redoubts  at  York- 
town: 

In  the  Trenches,  14th-15th  October,  1783.  [sic.] 

General:  — General  Washington  having  approved,  last 
evening  in  the  trenches,  of  the  disposition  which  I had  made, 
and  of  my  instructions  given  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
to  General  Steuben,  as  well  as  to  MM.  des  Deusponts,  de 
L’Estrade,  and  de  Rostaing  for  the  attack  on  the  two  re- 
doubts on  the  left  of  the  enemy,  which  you  have  prescribed 
for  me  to  carry,  I came  back  to  the  column  of  attack  which 
I had  proposed  to  lead  in  person,  and  after  having  given  to 
the  Count  de  Custine  the  directions  and  necessary  orders 
about  the  troops  which  were  to  remain  in  the  trenches,  we 
debouched  at  the  signal  agreed  upon,  in  good  order  and  in 
silence.  The  two  redoubts  were  attacked  and  carried 
nearly  at  the  same  time.  The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  be- 
haved at  the  attack,  with  which  he  was  charged,  with  as 
much  intrepidity  as  intelligence.  His  infantry  showed  them- 
selves there  as  if  they  were  grenadiers  accustomed  to 
difficult  things  ; all  those  who  defended  the  redoubt  attacked 
by  the  Americans  were  killed  or  captured.  A major  and 
an  officer  were  among  the  latter.  The  Count  William  des 
Deuxponts,  who  commanded  four  hundred  grenadiers  or 
chasseurs,  whom  I had  intended  for  the  attack  on  the  grand 
redoubt,  marched  there,  as  well  as  M.  de  L’Estrade,  lieuten- 
ant-colonel of  the  Gatinois,  whom  I had  placed  under  his 
orders  and  in  his  advance  guard,  with  so  much  order 
and  firmness,  that  they  were  not  six  minutes  in  making 
themselves  masters  of  this  redoubt,  and  in  manning  it. 
They  went  in,  both  of  them,  with  the  first  grenadiers,  after 


158 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


they  had  cut  a passage,  with  axe  in  hand,  through  the  abatis 
in  the  ditch,  and  through  the  fraises  of  this  work.  A hun- 
dred and  forty  men  who  defended  it,  and  who  kept  up  a 
very  sharp  fire  of  musketry,  were  killed  or  captured.  Some 
of  them  escaped,  among  whom  Colonel  MacPherson  is  sup- 
posed to  be.  The  Count  de  Rostaing,  who  marched  with 
two  companies  of  auxiliary  chasseurs,  and  the  second 
battalion  of  his  regiment,  to  the  support  of  this  attack, 
equally  conducted  himself  with  much  courage  and  dis- 
tinction. Four  hundred  men  of  the  regiment  of  Gati- 
nois  showed  themselves,  under  these  circumstances,  as  if 
Auvergne 85  had  been  there  altogether.  The  particular 
details  must  please  you.  Unfortunately,  they  have  lost 
nearly  seventy  men,  of  whom  fifty  were  grenadiers  or  chas- 
seurs. M.  de  Berthelot  was  killed  ; M.  de  Sireuil,  captain 
of  chasseurs,  and  an  officer  of  great  distincton,  had  his  leg 
shattered,  and  M.  de  Sillegue,  lieutenant  of  chasseurs  was 
very  severely  wounded.  The  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of 
Deuxponts  have  had  twenty-two  men  killed  or  wounded; 
the  chasseurs  of  Agenois  six  men  killed;  those  of  Bour- 
bonnois,  who  had  the  head  of  the  column,  commanded 
by  M.  de  Rostaing,  fortunately  lost  no  one.  This  decisive 


as  <<  The  regiment  of  Gatinois  was  made  up  from  the  regiment  of 
Auvergne,  and  was  to  lead  the  attack.  The  Count  de  Rochambeau 
said  to  the  grenadiers  : My  boys,  if  I have  need  of  you  to-night,  I 
hope  you  will  not  forget  Auvergne  sans  tache,  an  honorable  epithet  of 
this  regiment,  which  it  has  merited  on  all  occasions.  They  replied 
that  they  would  be  killed  to  a man  ; and  at  the  same  time  asked  to 
have  their  old  name  restored.  They  behaved  in  a manner  worthy  of 
the  highest  praise  ; and  the  king  has  since  by  an  ordinance,  given  this 
regiment  the  name  of  Royal  Auvergne.  M.  de  Sireuil,  captain  of 
chasseurs,  was  wounded,  and  died  of  his  wounds.”  Histoire  des 
Troubles  de  l'Amérique  Anglaise.  Paris,  1787,  iii.  395. 


MT  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


159 


attack  lias  cost  in  all  nearly  one  hundred  men  ; but  it  will 
reflect  the  greatest  honor  on  the  Count  William  des  Deux- 
ponts,  M.  de  L’Estrade,  the  Count  de  Rostaing,  and  the 
officers  and  troops  who  have  been  engaged  in  it.  There 
were  joy  and  confidence  before  sallying  out,  silence,  energy, 
and  difficulties  overcome  during  the  attack,  much  order  and 
humanity  after  the  success. 

General,  this  is  what  I have  seen  of  the  nation,  and  of  the 
grenadiers  of  Deuxponts,  after  twenty  years  of  peace  ; and 
this  is  what  I am  happy  to  announce  to  you. 

I ought  also  to  speak  to  you  of  two  sergeants  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Gatinois,  whom  I had  particularly  charged  to  march 
at  ten  paces  in  front  of  the  grenadiers,  to  reconnoitre  and 
to  show  the  ways  or  the  points  the  most  favorable  to  clear 
the  abatis,  — the  two  men  who  have  both  been  preservedj 
have  so  well  justified  that  which  the  Baron  de  L’Estrade 
had  told  me  of  their  intelligence  and  of  their  bravery,  that 
I consider  it  a duty  to  mention  them  with  distinction  ; and 
I pray  you  not  to  refuse  that  I should  have  the  honor  of 
presenting  them  to  you  to-morrow  morning.  MM.  de  Vau- 
ban  and  de  La  Meth,  commissioned  by  you  and  M.  de  Béville 
to  be  at  this  attack,  and  the  Count  de  Damas,  whose  repu- 
tation, pure  and  well-known  zeal,  had  alone  prompted  him 
to  be  there,  entered  the  redoubt  with  the  first  grenadiers, 
and  everywhere  showed  themselves  to  be  true  paladins. 
They  have  the  essence  of  courage,  which  will  some  day  be 
a fine  example  for  the  soldiers  whom  they  will  be  charged  to 
lead,  and  certainly  of  the  greatest  utility  for  the  service  of 
the  King.  The  Chevalier  de  La  Meth  was  wounded  very 
seriously  in  both  legs,  after  having  mounted  the  parapet. 

MM.  de  Yiomesnil,  de  St.  Amand,  de  Chabannes,  de 
Brentano,  Desoteux,  and  de  Pange,  my  aides-de-camp,  have 


160 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


deserved  to  be  mentioned  in  general  and  in  particular,  for 
their  distinguished  conduct  at  that  attack,  and  their  prompt- 
ness in  the  execution  of  the  orders  I gave  them  during 
the  night. 

The  Chevalier  de  Menonville,  aide-major-general,  having 
himself  led  two  hundred  workmen  of  the  regiment  of  Soison- 
nois,  who  were  going  to  push  the  second  parallel  as  far  as 
the  redoubt  carried  by  the  Count  William  des  Deuxponts. 
This  work  has  been  so  well  performed,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Chevalier  Doiré,  so  near  the  enemy,  and  so  promptly, 
that  I consider  it  just  to  give  ten  sous  extra  to  each  of  the 
workmen.  MM.  de  Turpin,86  and  de  Gouvion,87  worked  with 
the  same  success  between  the  captured  redoubts,  and  at  the 
communication  of  the  first  and  second  parallel  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. 

The  artillery  had  done  wonders  during  the  whole  time 
which  preceded  the  two  attacks.  M.  d’Aboville  and  the 
commanders  of  batteries  have  even  surpassed  themselves  in 
preparing  for  the  success. 

I do  not  yet  know  the  loss  of  the  Americans  ; when  the 
Marquis  de  Lafayette  and  the  Baron  de  Steuben  shall  have 
sent  me  the  particulars,  I shall  hasten  to  address  you; 
according  to  what  they  tell  me,  their  loss  is  not  much.88 


80  A captain  of  engineers,  who  made  the  drawings  of  the  Natural 
Bridge  in  Virginia,  for  the  second  volume  of  Chastellux’s  Travels. 

87  Brevetted  colonel  by  Congress,  Nov.  16,  1781,  for  distinguished 
conduct  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown. 

88  “ The  cause  of  the  great  loss  sustained  by  the  French  troops,  in 
comparison  with  that  of  the  Americans,  in  storming  their  respective 
redoubts,  was  that  the  American  troops,  when  they  came  to  the  abattis, 
removed  a part  of  it  with  their  hands,  and  leaped  over  the  remainder. 
The  French  troops,  on  coming  up  to  theirs,  waited  till  their  pioneers 
had  cut  away  the  abattis,  secundum  artem,  which  exposed  them  longer 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


161 


The  Count  William  has  been  wounded  in  the  face,  though 
slightly  ; his  conduct  has  been  so  brilliant,  and  his  bravery 
so  distinguished  and  so  decisive,  that  I pray  you,  General,  to 
obtain  from  the  favor  of  the  King  for  him  the  rank  of  brig- 
adier. 

I ask  you  to  procure  the  same  rank  for  the  Baron  de 
L’Estrade,  who  has  served  for  more  than  forty  years,  and 
who  has  given  an  example  to  the  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
of  his  regiment,  worthy  of  the  highest  eulogy.  The  Count 
de  Rostaing,  colonel  since  the  year  1770,  being  also  very 
distinguished,  if  you  would  ask  for  him  the  rank  of  briga- 
dier, I am  persuaded  that  it  will  not  be  refused. 

General  Washington  having  appeared  satisfied  at  the 
success  of  our  attacks,  there  will  remain  to  me  nothing  more 
to  desire,  if  you  will  add  your  approbation  of  all  that  was 
done,  during  the  time  of  my  service  in  the  trenches. 

I have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  most  respectful  attach- 
ment, general, 

Your  very  humble  and  very  obedient  servant, 

[Signed]  Yiomesnil. 

Letter  which  was  written  to  me  by  the  Minister  of  War, 
on  my  return  to  France. 

Versailles,  5 December,  1781. 

Upon  the  account,  Monsieur,  which  I have  given  to  the 
King,  of  the  valor  and  courage  with  which  you  have  con- 
ducted yourself  at  the  head  of  the  grenadiers,  which  you 
commanded  at  the  attack  on  a redoubt  at  Yorktown,  his 
Majesty,  to  show  you  his  full  satisfaction,  has  deigned  to 


to  the  galling  fire  of  the  enemy.”  Dr.  Thacher’s  Military  Journal. 
2d  ed.,  p.  276. 


162 


MY  CAMPAIGNS  IN  AMERICA. 


give  you  a place  of  chevalier  in  the  military  order  of  St. 
Louis,  by  special  distinction,  as  you  have  not  served  the  • 
requisite  time  to  be  eligible.  He  accords  to  you,  besides 
the  assurance  of  one  of  the  first  regiments  of  dragoons,  as 
soon  as  there  is  a vacancy.  I pray  you  to  be  persuaded  of 
the  pleasure  I take  in  announcing  to  you  these  favors. 

I have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  very  humble  and  very 
obedient  servant, 

[Signed] 


Ségur. 


APPENDIX 


We  give  below  the  places  of  encampment,  occupied  by 
the  French  army  on  its  way  from  Newport  to  Yorktown. 
It  marched  by  regiments  from  Providence  to  Newtown, 
Conn.,  and  thence  by  brigades.  The  dates  refer  to  the 
encampments  of  the  regiment,  or  of  the  brigade,  to  which 
Count  William  de  Deux-Ponts  belonged.  The  table  does 
not  differ  materially  from  the  route  laid  down  by  the  Abbé 
Robin,  in  his  Nouveau  Voyage,  pp.  222—4.  According  to 
his  dates,  the  Abbé  must  have  accompanied  the  regiment  of 
Soisonnois. 


June  10-18, 

Providence. 

Aug.  25, 

Sufferns. 

BY 

REGIMENTS. 

“ 26, 

Pompton. 

it 

19, 

Waterman’s  Tavern. 

“ 27,  28 

Hanover  or  Whippany. 

a 

20, 

Plainfield. 

“ 29, 

Bullions’  Tavern. 

a 

21, 

Windham. 

“ 30, 

Somerset. 

ct 

22, 

Bolton. 

“ 31, 

Princeton. 

a 

23-25, 

Hartford. 

Sept.  1, 

Trenton. 

ii 

26, 

Farmington. 

“ 2, 

Red  Lion  Tavern. 

a 

27, 

Baron’s  Tavern. 

“ 3,  4, 

Philadelphia. 

“ 

28, 

Break  Neck. 

“ 5, 

Chester. 

ii 

29,  30, 

Newtown. 

“ 6, 

Wilmington. 

BY 

BRIGADES. 

“ 7,  8, 

Elkton. 

July 

1, 

Ridgebury. 

“ 9, 

near  the  Ferry  over  the 

2, 


Bedford. 


a 

3-5, 

North  Castle. 

ii 

10, 

a 

6-20, 

Phillipsburg. 

it 

n, 

a 

21, 

on  the  march. 

(( 

12-15, 

a 

22, 

near  King’s  Bridge. 

it 

16, 

a 

23  to  Aug.  18,  Phillipsburg. 

a 

17, 

Aug. 

19, 

near  Alexander  Lark’s. 

a 

18-21, 

a 

o 

<M 

Leguid’s  Tavern. 

a 

22-24, 

a 

21, 

Hound’s  Tavern. 

a 

25, 

a 

22,  23 

, Yerplanck’s  Point. 

a 

26,  27 

a 

24, 

Haverstraw. 

a 

CO 

CM 

Susquehanna. 

Bush,  Harford  County. 
White  Marsh. 
Baltimore. 
Spurrier’s  Tavern. 
Scott’s  Plantation. 
Annapolis, 
on  board  ships. 
' near  Hogs  Ferry. 

Williamsburg, 
front  of  Yorktown. 


INDEX 


A 

Aboville,  M.  cle,  70,  ICO. 

“ Abrégé  de  la  Révolution  de  V Amé- 
rique Angloise,”  cited,  112  n. 

Arjenois,  brigade  of,  at  Yorktown, 
49,  50,  134,  136;  regiment  of,  in 
the  trenches,  54,  56,  140,  141, 
142;  supports  Deux-Ponts  in 
his  attack  on  the  enemjr’s  re- 
doubts, 58,  144;  its  loss  in  the 
capture  of  the  redoubts,  60,  68, 
147,  158. 

“ Aigrette,”  frigate,  at  Annapolis, 
47,  132. 

“Alliance,”  frigate,  arrival  of,  at 
Boston,  91  n. 

“ Almanach  de  Gotha,”  cited,  x n. 

“ Amazone,”  frigate,  3,  5,  8,  15, 
78,  80,  83,  85,  92;  sails  for 
Prance,  20,  97  ; chased  by  Eng- 
lish cruisers  and  dismasted,  97 
n. 

American  army,  union  of,  with  the 
French  forces  at  Phillipsburg, 
85,  116;  force  of  the,  ih.  n. 

André,  Major  John,  capture  of, 
19  n,  96  a;  his  connection  with 
Arnold  in  his  treason,  41,  124. 

“ Andromaque,”  frigate,  Count 
William  de  Deux-Ponts  sails  in 
the,  for  France,  63, 154  ; returns 
to  James  Eiver,  64,  154;  sails 
again,  64,  155;  chased,  65,  155; 
arrives  in  France,  ih. 

Anhalt,  regiment  of,  embarks  for 
America,  1,  75. 

Annapolis,  the  grenadiers  and 
chasseurs  at,  46,  130  ; arrival  of 
the  “ Romulus  ” at,  46,  130  ; 


march  of  the  army  to,  47,  131, 
163;  embarkation  at,  47,  132, 
163. 

Anselme,  M.  d’,  23,  102. 

Anspach  regiment,  surrenders  at 
Y'orktown,  62,  151. 

Arbutiinot,  Admiral  Marriot,  be- 
fore Charleston,  9,  10,  11,  84,  85, 
86  ; threatened  attack  by,  on 
Newport,  16,  92,  93. 

“ Ardent,”  the,  64-gun  ship,  3,  23, 
28,  78,  102,  107  ; sails  from 
Newport,  21.  99. 

Arnold,  Benedict,  treason  of, 
19  n,  41,  96  m,  124;  expedition 
against,  23,  24,  102,  103. 

“ Astrée,”  frigate,  arrival  of  the, 
at  Boston,  23,  101. 

Auvergne,  regiment  of,  68,  158; 
address  of  the  Count  de  Ro- 
chambeau  to  the  grenadiers  of 
the,  158  n. 

B 

Baireuth  regiment,  surrenders  at 
Yorktown,  62,  151. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  44,  127  ; arrival  of 
the  army  at,  45,  128,  163. 

Barber’s  “ Historical  Collections 
of  Connecticut,”  cited,  97  n. 

Baron’s  Tavern,  Kochambeau’s 
army  at,  33,  113,  163. 

Barras,  Count  Louis  de,  arrival 
of,  at  Boston,  29,  108  ; at  New- 
port, 30,  109;  joins  the  Count 
de  Grasse,  46,  130;  in  York 
River,  53  n,  159  n. 

“ Bedford  ” 74-gun  ship,  dismasted, 
21,  99. 


1G6 


INDEX. 


Bedford  (New  Bedford),  29,  109. 

Bedford,  the  brigade  of  Bourbon- 
nois  at,  33,  114,  1G3. 

“ Bellone,”  frigate,  3,78;  returns 
to  France,  ib. 

Bermuda  passed  by  the  French 
squadron,  5,  80. 

Bernard  (?)  Count  Deux-Ponts, 
xi. 

Berthelot,  Capt.  de,  killed  in  the 
assault  upon  the  redoubts  at 
Yorktown,  GO,  68,  147,  158. 

Betiiune,  ix. 

Bévili/e,  M.  de,  69,  159. 

Block  Island,  17,  29,  94,  108. 

Bolton,  Conn.,  Rochambeau’s 
troops  at,  32,  113,  163. 

Borodino,  battle  of,  ix,  x. 

Bose,  Hessian  regiment  of,  sur- 
renders at  Yorktown,  62,  151. 

“ Boston  Independent  Ledger,” 
cited,  132  n,  151  n. 

Boston,  12,  30,  88,  110. 

Bougainville,  M.  de,  131  n. 

Bourbonnois,  brigade  of,  embarks 
at  Newport  for  Providence,  31, 
111;  grenadiers  and  chasseurs 
detached  from  the,  33,  114; 
leaves  Newtown,  ib.  ; at  Ridge- 
bury,  Bedford  and  North  Castle, 
33,  114;  near  King’s  Bridge,  38, 
120;  crosses  the  Hudson,  41, 
124;  at  Haverstraw,  ib.  ; leaves 
the  encampment,  ib.  ; crosses 
the  Delaware  at  Princeton,  42, 
125;  at  Philadelphia,  43,  126;  at 
Annapolis,  47,  131;  at  York- 
town, 49,  134;  their  place  of 
encampment  changed,  51,  136. 

Bourbonnois  regiment,  under  or- 
ders for  America,  1,  75;  em- 
barks, 3,  77  ; goes  into  winter 
quarters  at  Newport,  20,  97; 
embarks  for  Providence,  31, 
111;  leaves  the  camp  at  Provi- 
dence, 32,  113;  breaks  camp  at 
Hartford,  33,  113;  the  battalion 
of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of 
the,  forms  the  rear  guard  of  the 
army,  41,  123;  ordered  on  duty 
in  the  trenches  before  York- 
town, 53,  139;  supports  the  at- 
tack on  the  enemy’s  redoubts, 


58,  68,  144,  158;  in  the  trenches 
at  the  time  of  the  capitulation 
of  Cornwallis,  62,  151. 

Break  Neck,  Rochambeau’s  army 
at,  33,  113,  163. 

Brentano,  M.  de,  69,  159. 

Brenton’s  Point,  R.  I.,  18,  95. 

Brest,  French  squadron  blockaded 
in  the  harbor  of,  91  n,  92  n. 

Brig,  capture  of  an  English,  by 
the  French  squadron,  5,  80. 

“ Bristol,”  30-gun  ship,  9 n,  84  n. 

Bristol,  R.  I.,  90  n. 

British  Legion  surrenders  at  York- 
town, 62,  151. 

Brook  River,  36,  117. 

Bullions’  Tavern,  encampment 
at,  42,  125,  163. 

Bush,  Harford  Co.,  Md.,  the  army 
at,  44,  128,  163. 

Butler,  Gen.  Richard,  his  diary 
cited,  xi. 

C 

Campaign  of  1780,  1,  75;  of  1781, 
21,  99. 

“ Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781, 
History  of  the”,  cited,  146  n. 

Canonicut  Island.  See  Connonicut. 

Cape  Charles,  25,  G3,  104,  153. 

Cape  François,  39,  121. 

Cape  Henry,  63,  153  ; arrival  of  the 
French  squadron  at,  10,  85  ; 
passed  by  the  “ Andromaque” 
on  her  way  to  France,  64,  155. 

Casimira,  daughter  of  Baron 
Christian  of  JZweibriick,  ix. 

Celto,  Arianne,  Baroness,  x. 

ChabanneS,  M.  de,  69,  159. 

Charles  Augustus,  duke  of  Deux- 
Ponts-Birkenfeld,  xiv,  xv. 

Charles,  Duke,  of  Zweibriick,  ix. 

Charles,  son  of  Count  William  de 
Deux-Ponts,  x. 

Charles  (Gust  a vus)  X,  elected 
King  of  Sweden  in  1654,  xiv. 

Charles  Theodore,  Elector  Pal- 
atine, xv. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  siege  and  cap- 
ture of,  6,  80;  “ Siege  of,  by  the 
British  fleet  and  army  cited, 
80  n. 

“ Charon,"  the,  50-gun  ship,  22, 
100  ; burnt,  100  n. 


INDEX. 


167 


Chastellux,  Marquis  de,  55,  141, 
160  n ; liis  “Voyages”,  cited, 
124  n,  127  n. 

Choisy,  M.  de,  arrival  of  at  New- 
port, 19,  96;  appointed  to  pro- 
tect tlie  anchorage  of  the  squad- 
ron, 31,  111;  at  Yorktown,  52, 
138;  attack  upon,  55,  141. 

Christian,  Baron  of  Zweibriick, 
is  ; see  Deux-Ponts. 

Christian,  Duke,  of  Zweibriick, 
Count  Palatine  and  Duke  of 
Deus-Pouts-Berkenfeld,  viii, 
siv,  xv. 

Christian,  son  of  Count  William 
de  Deux-Ponts,  x. 

Chesapeake  Bay,  10,  21,  22,  64,  85, 
86  n,  99, 100, 154;  limited  means 
of  transportation  in,  45,  129  ; 
engagement  of  the  Count  de 
Grasse  with  Admiral  Graves, 
oil',  47  ii,  131  n,  132,  ib.  n. 

Chester,  encampment  at,  43,  126, 
163. 

Church’s  History  of  Philip’s  War, 
90  n. 

Clark,  Lieut.,  R.  N.,  a prisoner  on 
board  the  “ Diligente”,  47,  132. 

Clinton,  General  Sir  Henry,  19 
n,  41  n,  80  n,  96  n,  123  n\ 
threatened  attack  on  Rocham- 
beau  at  Newport  by,  16,  17,  93  ; 
the  design  relinquished,  17,  94; 
embarks  his  troops  in  Hunting- 
ton  Bay,  ib. 

Clochetterie,  M.  de  la,  83  n; 
commander  of  the  “Jason”,  28, 
107  ; killed,  107  n ; notice  of,  ib. 

“ Comtesse  de  Noailles”,  the.  3,  77. 

“ Concorde”,  frigate,  arrives  at 
Boston,  29,  97  n,  108;  off  Cape 
Henry,  63,  153. 

Congress,  honors  to,  by  thePrench 
army,  43,  126. 

Connonicnt  Island,  batteries  erect- 
ed on, 16.  92,  93  ; abandoned  by 
Rochambeau,  16,  93. 

“ Conquérant,”  74-gun  ship,  8, 10, 
23,  27,  28,  77,  85,  101, 106,  107. 

Council  of  war  on  board  the  “ Due 
de  Burgogne,”  30,  110. 

Cornwallis,  Capt.,  R.  N.,  9 n,  84 
n. 


Cornwallis,  Charles,  Marquis, 
at  Portsmouth,  Va.,  39,  122; 
his  position  the  object  of  at- 
tack, 42,  125  ; his  preparations 
for  defence,  48,  134;  his  course 
during  the  siege  criticised,  135 
n ; flag  of  truce  from,  62, 150  ; ar- 
ticles of  capitulation  signed,  62, 
151  ; surrenders  his  sword  to 
General  Lincoln,  151  n ; rein- 
forcements for,  64,  154. 

“ Cornwallis,"  a,  celebration  of  the 
surrender  at  Yorktown,  151  n. 

“ Culloden,”  74-gun  ship,  loss  of 
the,  21,  99. 

Cushing’s  Beports,  cited,  151  n. 

Custine,  Adam  Philippe,  Count 
de,  16,  67,  93,  157  ; notice  of, 
93  n,  127  n. 

D 

Damas,  Count  Charles  de,  146  n, 
a volunteer  in  the  attack  on  the 
redoubts  at  Y'orktown,  60,  147  ; 
his  gallant  conduct,  69,  159. 

Dawson,  Henry  B.,  154  n,  his 
“ Battles  of  the  United  States,” 
cited,  xi. 

Desoteux,  M.,  69,  159. 

Destouches,  M.,  7 n,  27, 82  n,  105  : 
takes  command  of  the  French 
squadron,  20,  98  ; sends  an  expe- 
dition to  the  Chesapeake,  under 
M.  de  Tilley,  22,  100  n;  return  of 
the  expedition,  25, 104;  engage- 
ment with  the  English  fleet  near 
Cape  Charles,  25 — 28,  104 — 108. 

Deux-Ponts,  Baron  Christian 
de,  ix,  xv,  xvi,  5,  79  ; visits 
West  Point  in  company  with 
Lafayette,  xii  ; distinguished 
at  Yorktown,  x,  xiii;  his  af- 
fection for  his  brother,  57,  143. 

Deux-Ponts,  Count  William  de 
vii,  ix,  x,  xi,  xv  ; distin- 
guished at  Yorktown,  x,  xiii, 
xv  ; wounded  at  Yorktown,  x; 
his  early  life,  xv  ; his  marriage, 
ib.  ; made  a chevalier  of  the  or- 
der of  St.  Louis,  xvi,  71,  162  ; 
ordered  to  report  at  Landernau, 
2,  76;  arrives  at  Brest,  3,  77; 
embarks  for  America,  ib.,  his  de- 


168 


INDEX. 


parture  from  Brest,  ib  ; incidents 
of  the  voyage,  4—14,  78 — 90  ; ar- 
rival at  Newport,  14,  90;  recep- 
tion at  Newport,  15,  91  ; on  de- 
tached service,  16,  93;  embarks 
for  Providence,  31,  111  ; in  camp 
at  Providence,  31,  112;  leaves 
Providence,  32,  113;  at  Hart- 
ford, 32,  113;  at  North  Castle, 
34,  114;  joins  the  American 
army  at  Phillipsburg,  35,  116; 
marches  to  King’s  Bridge,  37, 
120  ; commands  the  battalion 
of  grenadiers  and  chasseurs  of 
the  brigade  of  Bourbonuois,  40, 
122;  at  Lark’s  house,  ib.  ; at 
Leguid’s  tavern,  40,  123;  his 
battalion  forms  the  rearguard  of 
the  army,  41,  123;  at  Hound’s 
Tavern,  ib.  ; in  the  advance 
guard  of  the  army,  ib.  ; at  Ha- 
verstraw,  41,  124;  at  Sufferns, 
42,  124;  at  Pompton,  ib.;  at 
Hanover,  Bullions’  Tavern, 
Somerset  and  Princeton,  42, 125  ; 
crosses  the  Delaware  at  Prince- 
ton, ib.  ; at  Bed  Lion  Tavern, 
ib.  ; enters  Philadelphia,  43, 
126  ; at  Chester,  ib.  ; his  impres- 
sions of  Washington,  ib.  n.  ; 
crosses  the  Susquehanna,  44 
128  ; at  Bush  and  White  Marsh, 
ib.  ; arrives  at  Baltimore,  45, 
128  ; marches  to  Spurrier’s  Tav- 
ern, 46,  130  ; arrives  at  Annapo- 
lis, 47,  131;  embarks  at  An- 
napolis, 47,  132;  on  board 
the  “ Diligente,”  ib.  ; arrives 
at  Lynn  Haven  Bay,  48, 
133  ; enters  James  Kiver,  ib.  ; 
lands  at  Hog’s  Ferry,  ib.  ; en- 
camps at  Williamsburg,  ib.  ; en- 
camps near  Yorktown,  48,  134; 
on  a reconnoissance  with  Eo- 
cliambeau,  49,  135  ; makes  a 
special  reconnoissance  to  York 
Biver,  51,  137  ; in  the  trenches 
before  Yorktown,  54,  140  ; com- 
mands the  attack  on  the  ene- 
my’s redoubts,  56,  143;  the  at- 
tack, 57,  144;  the  work  carried, 
59,  145;  his  personal  gallantry 
in  the  action,  146  n;  slightly 


wounded,  60,  70, 147, 148  n,  161; 
detailed  to  carry  the  duplicate 
despatch  announcing  the  surren- 
der of  Cornwallis,  to  France,  63, 
152;  embarks  at  Yorktown,  63, 
153;  sails  in  the  “Andromaque” 
for  France,  ib.  ; returns  to  the 
James  Biver,  64,  154;  sets  sail 
again,  64,  155  ; incidents  of  the 
voyage,  65,  155  ; arrives  in 

France,  ib.  ; letter  from  the 
Baron  de  Viomesnil  to,  accom- 
panying his  account  of  the  at- 
tack on  the  redoubts  at  York- 
town, 66,  156;  commendation 
of  his  conduct  by  Viomesnil,  68, 
159  ; recommended  for  promo- 
tion, 70,  161  ; letter  to,  from  the 
Count  de  Ségur,  announcing  his 
elevation  to  the  rank  of  Cheva- 
lier of  the  military  order  of  St. 
Louis,  71,  162. 

Deux-Ponts,  Town  of,  xiv. 

“ Diligente,'”  frigate,  at  Annapolis, 
47, 132  ; Count  William  de  Deux- 
Ponts  embarks  on  the,  ib. 

Doiiîé,  Chevalier,  69,  160. 

Doyle,  Col.,  a prisoner  on  board 
the  “ Diligente,”  47,  132. 

“Duc  de  Burgogne,”  80-gun  ship, 
3,  5,  6 n,  7 n,  9,  23,  27,  77,  79, 
81  n , 82  n,  85,  101,  106;  council 
of  war  on  board  the,  30,  110. 

Dumas,  Lieut.  Gen.  Mathieu, 
Count  de,  5,  79  ; “ Souvenirs 
de,”  cited,  79  n,  80  n,  83  n,  86 
n,  87  n,  89  n,  91  n,  111  n,  117  n, 
131  n,  147  n,  152  n. 

E 

“ Ecureuil,"  the,  ship  of  war,  3, 
14,77,  89. 

Eightieth  regiment  of  Highlanders 
surrenders  at  Yorktown,  62, 151. 

Eleonore,  daughter  of  Baron 
Christian  of  Zweibriick,  ix. 

Elizabeth  river,  22,  100. 

Elk  ridge,  130  n. 

Elkton,  the  army  at,  44,  127,  163. 

Elliot,  Col.,  14,  89. 

“ Europa,”  64-gun  ship,  9,  84. 

“ Eveille,”  64-gun  ship,  3,  6,  10,  11 
n,  21,  23,  25,  77,  81,  85,  86  n,  89 


INDEX. 


169 


n,  99,  102,  104;  captures  the 
“ Romulus”  and  other  prizes,  22, 
100. 

Everett,  Edward,  his  “ Orations” 
cited,  75  n. 

F 

“ Fantasque ,”  hospital  ship,  23, 
25,  26,  102, 104,  105. 

Farmington,  Conn.,  Rochambeau’s 
army  at,  33,  113,  163. 

Finistère,  Cape,  passed  by  the 
French  squadron,  5,  79. 

Fire  in  the  woods  near  the  camp 
at  Windham,  32  n,  113  n. 

Fontenay,  Mlle,  de,  viii. 

Foraging  at  Mamaroneck  and  New 
Rochelle,  39,  121. 

Forbach,  Baroness  von,  viii. 

Forbach,  Christian,  Count  de,  x, 
xv.  See  Deux-Ponts. 

Forbach,  Guillaume,  Count  de, 
x,  xv.  See  Deux-Ponts. 

Forbacii,  Madame  de,  xiii,  xiv. 

“ Fort  No.  8,”  38,  120. 

Forty-third  regiment  of  the  British 
army  surrenders  at  Yorktown, 
62,  151. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  LL.  D.,  his 
will  cited,  xiii. 

French  troops  sent  to  America,  1, 
75. 

G 

Gambs,  M.  de,  23,  102. 

Gardner’s  Bay,  21,  99;  the  Eng- 
lish squadron  sails  from,  23, 102. 

Gatinois,  regiment  of,  detailed  for 
duty  in  the  trenches  before 
Yorktown,  54,  55,  140,  141;  in 
the  attack  led  by  Deux-Ponts 
on  the  enemy’s  redoubts,  57, 
67,  68,  144,  148  n,  157,  158;  loss 
in  the  capture  of  the  redoubts, 
60,  147. 

Gazette  de  France,  supplement  à la, 
cited,  154  n,  155  n. 

“ Gentille,”  frigate,  arrival  of,  at 
Newport,  19,  96;  sails  from 
Newport,  21,  99;  returns,  in 
company  with  the  “ Eveille  ” 
and  her  prize,  21,  100;  at  An- 
napolis, 47,  132. 


Gist,  W.,  letter  from,  to  General 
Washington,  cited,  132  n. 

Gloucester,  Va.,  sortie  from,  52, 
137  ; occupied  by  the  French 
troops,  63,  152. 

Goat  Island,  Newport  Harbor,  24, 
25,  103. 

Gouvion,  M.  de,  69,  160  ; notice 
of,  160  n. 

Grandière,  Charles  Marie,  Count 
de  la,  28,  107  ; notice  of,  107  n. 

Grasse,  François  Joseph  Paul, 
Count  de,  80  n-,  arrival  of,  in 
America,  39,  121  ; intelligence 
of  his  arrival  received  by  the 
allied  army,  43,  46, 126,  129  ; his 
action  with  Admiral  Graves’s 
squadron,  47  n,  131  n ; his  fleet 
in  James  River,  64,  154. 

Gravenreuth,  Count,  ix. 

Graves,  Thomas,  Admiral,  10, 11, 
46,  85,  8G,  130;  his  engagement 
with  the  squadron  of  the  Count 
de  Grasse,  47  n,  131  n. 

Guards,  1st  battalion  of,  surren- 
der at  Yorktown,  62,  151. 

“ Guepe,”  The,  cutter,  3,  78;  sails 
from  Newport,  21,  99;  loss  of 
the,  28,  108. 

Guichen,  Count  de,  departure  of 
his  fleet  from  the  West  Indies, 
19,  96. 

H 

Hampton,  Va.,  occupied  by  French 
troops,  63,  152. 

Hanover,  encampment  at,  42,  125, 
163. 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Rochambeau’s 
army  at,  32,  113,  163. 

Haverstraw,  the  brigade  of  Bour- 
bonuois  at,  41,  124,  163. 

“ Head  of  Elk,”  44,  127. 

Heath,  Gen.  William,  his  “ Me- 
moirs ” cited,  xii,  121  n ; letter 
from,  to  Gen.  Washington, 
cited,  91  n ; at  Yerplanck’s 
Point,  41,  124. 

“ Hector,”  74-gun  ship,  9 n,  84  n. 

“ Hermione,”  frigate,  15,  28,  92, 
108;  sails  from  Newport  on  a 
cruise,  20,  97  ; at  Boston,  20, 
98;  in  the  expedition  to  the 


170 


INDES, 


Chesapeake,  25,  28, 104,  107  ; off 
Cape  Henry,  63,  152. 

Hessian  regiments  surrender  at 
Yorktown,  62,  151. 

Hessians  at  King’s  Bridge,  38,  120. 

“ Historical  Magazine,”  cited,  xi, 
101  n. 

“History  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780 
and  1781,”  cited,  146  n. 

Hog's  Ferry,  landing  and  encamp- 
ment at,  48,  133,  163. 

Hoiienlinden,  Baron  Christian, 
of  Zweibrück,  at  the  battle  of, 
ix. 

Hood,  Admiral  Sir  Samuel,  arri- 
val of,  at  Sandy  Hook,  46,  129. 

Hound's  Tavern,  encampment  at, 
41,  123,  163. 

Hudson  Fiver,  32,  34,  35,  41,  112, 
116,  117  n,  123;  crossed  by  the 
army,  41,  123. 

Huntington  Bay,  L.  I.,  embarka- 
tion of  Clinton  in,  17,  94. 

I 

“ Iris,”  frigate,  captured  from  the 
English,  47,  132. 

“Isle  de  France,”  transport,  13, 
21,  89,  99. 

J 

James  Fiver,  Arnold  on  the,  21, 
99;  troops  of  M.  St.  Simon  land 
at  the,  131  n ; troops  from  An- 
napolis enter  the,  48,  133  ; diffi- 
culties of  navigating  the,  ib. 

“ Jason,”  the,  ship-of-war,  3,  23, 
28,  77,  102,  107. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  xii,  n. 

Jesse’s  “ Life  of  George  the 
Third,"  cited,  152  n. 

K 

King,  Dr.  David,  90  n. 

King's  Bridge,  36,  117  ; the  Ameri- 
can and  French  forces  near,  38, 
120,  163. 

L 

Lafayette,  Maj.-Gen.  Gilbert  Mo- 
tier  de,  70,  160;  visits  West 
Point,  xi  ; his  influence  in  send- 
ing the  army  of  Rochambeau  to 


America,  1,  75  ; commands  the 
laud  forces  in  an  expedition 
against  Arnold,  23,  102  ; joined 
by  the  troops  under  the  Marquis 
de  St.  Simon,  43,  126;  com- 
mands an  attack  on  a redoubt 
near  York  River,  58,  67, 145  ; suc- 
cess of  the  attack,  148  n,  157. 

“ Lamb,  Gen.  John,  Memoir  of,” 
cited,  147  n. 

La  Meth,  Chevalier  de,  wounded 
in  the  assault  on  the  redoubts 
at  Yorktown,  60,  69,  147,  148  n, 
159;  his  gallant  conduct,  69, 
159. 

Lark,  Alexander,  halt  of  the  rear 
guard  at  his  house,  40,  122, 
163. 

Landernau,  the  royal  regiment  of 
Deuxponts  at,  2,  76. 

Lauzun,  Duke  de,  bearer  of  de- 
spatches to  Washington,  30, 110  ; 
his  return,  31,  111;  in  the  un- 
successful attack  of  Lincoln, 
July  3,  1781,  35  n,  116  n ; his  re- 
pulse of  Tarleton’s  cavalry,  52, 
138. 

Lauzun,  Legion  of,  under  orders 
for  America,  1,  75  ; embarks  for 
America,  3,  77  ; encampment  of, 
at  Newport,  14,  16,  90,  93;  can- 
toned at  Lebanon,  Conn.,  20,  97  ; 
a detachment  from,  embarked, 
29,  108  ; at  Bedford,  34,  114  ; en- 
gaged in  an  expedition  under 
Gen.  Lincoln,  ib.  ; failure  of  the 
expedition,  35,  116;  encamped 
at  White  Plains,  36,  117;  at 
Morrisania,  38, 120  ; crosses  the 
Hudson,  41,  123;  marches  from 
Haverstraw,  41,  124;  embarks 
at  Elkton,  44,  127  ; attacked  by 
Tarleton,  52,  137. 

Laval,  Marquis  de,  23,  45,  102, 
128;  at  Yorktown,  49,  134. 

Lebanon,  Conn.,  the  legion  of 
Lauzun  cantoned  at,  20,  97. 

Le  Gardeur  de  Tilly,  100  n. 

Leguid’s  Tavern,  halt  of  the  rear 
guard  at,  40,  123,  163. 

L’Estrade,  Baron  de,  second  in 
command  in  the  attack  on  the 
redoubts  at  Yorktown,  56,  66, 


INDEX. 


171 


67,  68,  69,  70,  143,  148  n,  156, 
157,  159,  161  ; recommended  for 
promotion,  70,  161. 

Light  infantry  regiment  surren- 
ders at  York  town-,  62,  151. 

Linanges,  Countess  of,  2,  76. 

Lincoln,  Maj.-Gen.  Benjamin, 
commands  an  expedition  against 
Fort  Washington,  34,  115;  his 
uusuccessful  attack  on  the  Brit- 
ish, July  3,  1781,  35,  116;  re- 
ceives the  sword  of  Cornwallis, 
at  Yorktown,  151  n. 

“ Lion,"  the,  64-gun  ship,  9 n,  84  n. 

“Loire,”  the,  ship-of-war,  3,  77. 

“London,”  the,  98-gun  ship,  12, 
27,  52,  88,  106,  138. 

Lossixg,  Benson  J.,  his  “Pictor- 
ial held  book  of  the  American 
Revolution,”  cited,  xii,  xiii, 
124  n. 

Louis,  of  Bavaria,  Emperor  of 
Germany,  xv. 

Louis  L,  King  of  Bavaria,  xv. 

M 

Macpherson,  commander  of  the 
redoubt  near  Yorktown,  58  n, 
145  n;  his  escape,  68,  158. 

Mamaroneck,  39,  121. 

Marie  Axtoixette,  Queen  of 
France,  ix,  n. 

Marigxy,  M.  de,  commander  of 
the  “ Ardent,”  28,  107. 

Martha’s  Vineyard,  17,  89  n,  94. 

Massachusetts , requisition  for  the 
militia  of,  31,  112. 

Maulevrier,  Chevalier  de,  23,  28, 
101,  108. 

Maximilian,  Prince,  of  Deux- 
Ponts,  afterwards  Maximilian 
I,  King  of  Bavaria,  viii,  ix,  x, 
xii,  xiv,  xv. 

Maxluiliax,  present  Duke  of  Ba- 
varia and  Deux-Ponts,  xv. 

Maximilian  - Joseph,  order  of 
knighthood  of,  ix. 

Mayer,  Brantz,  128  n,  extract 
from  a letter  of,  130  n. 

Mexoxville,  Chevalier  de,  69, 160. 

Middle  Ground  Banks,  63,  153. 

Mohaisk  (Borodino),  battle  of,  ix, 
x. 


Moreneck,  see  Mamaroneck. 

Morrisania,  38,  120. 

N 

Nantucket  shoals,  13,  89. 

Napoleon  I.,  emperor,  xiii. 

Natural  Bridge  in  Virginia,  160 
n. 

“ Neptune ,”  the,  74  gun-ship,  3,  6, 
7,  23,  27,  77,  81,  82,  101,  106; 
partly  dismasted,  4,  78  ; council 
of  war  on  board  the,  31,  111. 

Neustrie,  regiment  of,  embarks 
for  America,  1,  75. 

“ New  American  Cyclopaedia,” 
cited,  125  n. 

New  Bedford  (Bedford),  29,  109. 

New  London,  Conn.,  17,  94. 

Newport,  B.  I.,  arrival  of  the 
French  squadron  at,  14,  90  ; en- 
campment at,  ib.  ; preparations 
for  departure  from.  30, 109  ; em- 
barkation of  the  army  for  Prov- 
idence, 31,  111;  march  of  the 
army  from,  to  Yorktown,  163. 

New  Bochelle,  39,  121. 

Neictown,  Rochambeau’s  army  at, 
33,  113,  163. 

New  Windsor,  Washington  leaves 
his  winter  quarters  at,  34,  115. 

New  York,  threatened  movement 
against,  by  Washington,  17,  42, 
94,  125. 

“ Niger,”  frigate,  9 n,  84  n. 

Noailles,  Viscount  de,  in  com- 
mand of  the  second  battalion  of 
the  regiment  of  Soisonnois,  on 
Connonicut,  16,  93;  reinforced 
by  American  militia,  ib.  ; attach- 
ed to  Viomesnil’s  expedition, 
23,  102. 

No  Man’s  Island,  13,  89. 

North  Castle,  the  Bourbonnois 
brigade  at,  34,  115;  Gen.  Wash- 
ington at,  35,  116;  departure  of 
the  brigade  from,  ib.  ; the  army 
at,  40,  123,  163. 

North  Priver,  35,  42,  116,  124.  See 
Hudson  River. 

O 

“ Operations  of  the  French  fleet  un- 
der the  Count  de  Grasse  in  1781- 


172 


INDEX. 


2,”  cited,  80  n,  88  n,  100  n,  107  n, 
112  n,  127  n,  131  n,  132  n,  133  n, 
153  n. 

Ortegal,  Cape,  the  French  squad- 
ron off,  4,  78. 

P 

Pange,  M.  de,  G9,  159. 

Pappasquash,  hospital  established 
at,  14,  90  ; notice  of  the  place, 
90  n. 

Passaic,  Falls  of  the,  124  n. 

Patterson,  N.  J.,  124  n. 

Paulding,  John,  one  of  the  cap- 
tors  of  André,  96  n. 

Paulus  Hook  (now  Jersey  city), 
42,  125. 

Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  x. 

Peykouse,  M.  de  la,  97  n. 

Philadelphia,  arrival  of  the  French 
army  at,  43,  126,  163. 

Phillipsbury,  union  of  the  French 
and  American  armies  at,  35, 116, 
163;  the  French  army  leaves, 
39,  121. 

Pilots  from  Martha’s  Vineyard 
conduct  the  French  squadron  to 
Rhode  Island,  89  n. 

Pines’  Bridge,  the  army  at,  40, 
123. 

Plainfield,  Conn.,  Rochambeau’s 
troops  at,  32,  113,  163. 

Point  Judith,  14,  16,  17,  29,  89,  93, 
94,  108,  109. 

Polastron,  Yolande  Martine  Ga- 
brielle  de,  Duchess  de  Polignac, 
ix  n. 

Polignac,  Melchior  de,  ix. 

Polignac,  Prince  Jules  de,  ix  n. 

Pompton,  Washington  at,  17,94; 
the  French  army  at,  42,  124, 
163. 

Princeton,  N.  J.,  encampment  at, 
42,  125,  163. 

“ Provence,”  the,  64-gun-ship,  3, 
23,  78,  102  ; partially  dismasted, 
4,  78. 

Providence,  P.  I-,  the  brigade  of 
Bourbonnois  embarks  at  New- 
port for,  31,  111,  163. 

“ Prudent,"  English  man-of-war, 
injured  in  the  action  with  the 
French  fleet,  52,  138. 


Q 

“ Queen  Charlotte,”  packet,  cap- 
tured by  the  French  squadron, 
47,  133. 

Queen’s  Bangers,  surrender  of,  at 
Yorktown,  62,  151. 

R 

“ Baisonnable,”  64-gun  ship,  9, 
84. 

Ravknel,  M.  de,  64,  155. 

Rawdon,  Lord,  a prisoner  on 
board  the  “ Diligente,”  47,  132. 

Reciiberg,  Count  Anton,  ix. 

Rechberg,  Caroline,  Countess,  x. 

“ Becollections  and  private  memoirs 
of  Washington,”  cited,  132  n. 

Becruits,  arrival  of,  from  Boston, 
32,  113. 

Bed  Lion  Tavern,  encampment  at, 
42,  125,  163. 

“ Benown,”  50-gun  ship,  9,  84. 

Renwick,  Prof.  James,  his  “Life 
of  Count  Rumford,”  cited,  xii. 

Bhode  Island,  the  destination  of 
the  French  fleet,  12,  88  ; arrival 
of  the  squadron  at,  13,  89  ; re- 
quisition for  the  militia  of,  31, 
112. 

“ Bliode  Island  Colonial  Beconls,” 
cited,  102  n. 

“ Bichmond,”  frigate,  captured 
from  the  English,  47, 132. 

Bidgebury,  the  brigade  of  Bour- 
bonnois at,  33,  114,  163. 

Robin,  Abbé  C.  C.,  163;  his  arri- 
val at  Boston,  112  n;  his  “Nou- 
veau Voyage,”  etc.,  cited,  xi, 
127  n,  163. 

“ Bobust,”  74-gun  ship,  9,  84;  in- 
jured in  action,  52,  138. 

Rociiambe,\u,  Jean  Baptiste  Don- 
atien de  Vimeur,  Count  de,  x, 
xii,  xiii,  xvi,  1,  5,  17,  29,  39,  43, 
44,  45,  61,  66,  75  n,  79,  94,  108, 
112,  127,  129,  148,  156;  embark- 
ation of  his  forces,  3,  77  ; “ Mé- 
moires,” etc.,  cited,  84  n,  86  n, 
.91  n,  97  n,  107  n,  112  n,  150  n, 
152  n-,  lands  and  encamps  at 
Newport,  14,  90;  the  second  di- 
vision of  his  army  blockaded  at 
Brest,  91  n;  anticipated  attack 


INDEX. 


173 


on  his  position  at  Newport,  15, 
92  ; abandonsConnonicut  Island, 
16,93;  his  interview  with  AYash- 
ington  at  Hartford,  18,  94;  goes 
into  winter  quarters,  at  New- 
port, 20,  97  ; leaves  Newport  for 
an  interview  with  Washington 
at  Wethersfield,  30,  109  ; re- 
cruits for,  arrive  at  Boston,  32, 
112;  embarkation  of  his  army 
for  Providence,  31,  111;  the 
march  to  Hartford,  32,  113; 
union  with  the  American  army, 
under  Washington,  at  Phillips- 
burg,  35,  116;  reviews  the 

American  army,  117  n ; recon- 
noissance  by,  38,  120;  at  York- 
town,  49,  134;  reconnoitres  the 
enemy’s  works,  49,  135  ; his  re- 
port of  the  capture  of  the  re- 
doubts, 148  n ; his  army  ordered 
into  winter  quarters  in  Vir- 
ginia, 63,  152;  details  Count 
William  de  Deux-Ponts  to  carry 
the  duplicate  of  the  news  of  the 
capture  of  Cornwallis  to  France, 
ib. 

Rochambeau,  Viscount,  leaves 
America  for  France,  20,  97  ; no- 
tice of,  ib.,  n;  relieved  by  the 
Count  de  Barras,  29,  108. 

Rodney,  Admiral  Sir  George 
Brydges,  arrival  of,  at  Sandy 
Hook.  17,  94;  his  movements, 
19,  96. 

“Romulus,"  44-gun  ship;  capture 
of  the.  21,  22, 100, 101  ; attached 
to  the  French  squadron,  23,  47, 
102.  132. 

Rose  Island,  18,  95. 

Rostaing,  Count  de,  at  Yorktown, 
58,  67,  144,  157  ; his  gallant  con- 
duct at  the  attack  on  the  re- 
doubts, 68,  158,  159  ; recom- 
mended for  promotion,  70,  161. 

Royal  Deuxponts,  regiment,  x,  xi, 
xiii,  19,  96  ; ordered  to  embark 
for  America,  1,  75;  at  Lander- 
nau,  2,  76;  at  Brest,  3,  77;  em- 
barkation of,  ib.  ; leaves  Newport 
for  Providence,  31,  111;  leaves 
Providence,  32,  113;  breaks 
camp  at  Hartford,  33,  113  ; ade- 


| tachment  from,  occupies  the  re- 
doubts abandoned  by  the  Eng- 
lish at  Yorktown,  50,  136;  on 
duty  in  the  trenches,  54,  55,  56, 
140,  141,  142;  detailed  for  the 
attack  on  the  enemy’s  redoubts, 
56,  57,  142,  144,  148  n;  loss  in 
the  capture  of  the  redoubts,  60, 
68,  147,  158  ; in  the  trenches  at 
the  time  of  the  capitulation,  62, 
151. 

“Ruby,”  64-gun  ship,  9 n,  83  ?i, 
84  n. 

Rush,  Hon.  Richard,  x. 

“Russel,”  74-gun  ship,  9,  84. 

S 

Saint  Onge,  regiment  of,  embarks 
for  America,  1,  75;  at  Newport, 
16,  93;  leaves  Providence,  32, 
113;  breaks  camp  at  Hartford, 
33,  113;  in  the  trenches  before 
Yorktown,  54,  56,  140,  141,  142. 

St.  Pierre,  M.  de,  100  n. 

St.  Simon,  Baron  de,  at  York- 
town, 48,  50,  134,  136. 

St.  Simon,  Marquis  de,  landing  of 
his  troops,  43,  126,  131  ti;  em- 
barkation of  his  division,  64,154. 

Sandy  Rook,  arrival  of  Admiral 
Rodney  at,  17,  94;  arrival  of 
Admiral  Hood  at,  46,  129. 

“ Savage ,”  British  frigate,  119  n. 

Saxony,  Queen  of,  xv. 

Schuylkill  River,  43,  126. 

Scott's  Plantation,  encampment  at, 
46,  130  n,  131,  163. 

Scurvy,  ravages  of,  among  the 
French  troops,  15,  91. 

Ségur,  Philip  Henry,  Marquis  de, 
letter  to  Count  William  de  Deux- 
Ponts,  announcing  his  being 
made  a chevalier  of  the  military 
order  of  St.  Louis,  71,  162. 

“ Serpent,”  cutter,  3,  78,  returns 
to  France,  5,  79. 

Seventeenth  regiment  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  surrenders  at  York- 
town, 62,  151. 

Seventy-first  Highlanders  surren- 
ders at  Yorktown,  62,  151. 

Seventy-sixth  Highlanders  surren- 
ders at  Yorktown,  62,  151. 


174 


INDEX. 


Shea,  John  G.,  80  n. 

Sheldon,  Col.  Elisha,  his  regi- 
ment of  dragoons,  35,  116;  no- 
tice of,  116  n. 

“ Shrewsbury,”  English  ship  of 
war,  52,  138. 

Sickness  in  the  French  squadron, 
12,  15,  88,  91. 

Sillegue,  M.  de,  59  n,  145  n; 
wounded,  60,  68,  147,  158. 

Sireuil,  Capt.  de,  mortally 
wounded  in  the  attack  upon  the 
redoubts  at  Yorktown,  60,  68, 
147,  148  re,  158. 

Smith,  Joshua  Hett,  his  connec- 
tion with  Arnold’s  treason,  41, 
124  ; notice  of,  124  n. 

Soissonnois,  brigade  of,  111  n; 
encamps  at  Providence,  31,  112. 

Soissonnois  regiment,  163;  under 
orders  for  America,  1,  75  ; em- 
barks, 3,  77  ; second  battalion 
of  the,  on  Connonicut,  16,  93  ; 
goes  into  winter  quarters  at 
Newport,  20,  97  ; at  Providence, 
31,  112;  leaves  Providence,  32, 
113;  breaks  camp  at  Hartford, 
33,  113;  at  North  Castle,  34, 
114;  on  the  banks  of  the  Cro- 
ton, 41,  123;  marches  from  Ha- 
verstraw,  41, 124;  at  Yorktown, 
49,  134;  on  duty  in  the  trenches, 
53,  54,  69,  139,  140,  160. 

Somerset,  encampment  at,  42,  125, 
163. 

Sophia,  Archduchess,  of  Austria, 
xv. 

Sparks,  Jared,  LL.D.,  his 
“ American  Biography”  cited, 
xii  ; his  “ Life  of  Franklin”  cited, 
xii,  xiii;  his  “Washington” 
cited,  89  n,  91  n,  92  n,  97  n,  100 
n,  149  n,  150  n ; his  “Corre- 
spondence of  the  Revolution,” 
cited,  91  n. 

Spurrier’s  Tavern,  encampment 
at,  46,  130,  163  ; notice  of,  130  n. 

Staten  Island,  17,  42,  94,  125. 

Steuben,  Frederic,  Baron,  67,  70, 
157,  160. 

Suferns,  encampment  at,  42,  124, 
i.63. 

“ Sultan,”  74-gun  ship,  9 n,  84  n. 


“ Surveillante,"  the,  frigate,  3,  5,  8, 
9,  11  n,  15,  20,  23,  28,  78,  79,  83, 
84,  85,  86  n,  92,  97,  108  ; at  Bos- 
ton, 20,  98;  sails  from  Newport, 
21,99,  102;  return  of,  21.  100. 

Susquehanna,  the  army  crosses 
the,  44,  128,  163. 

T 

Tappan  Sea,  117  n. 

Tarleton,  Lt.-Col.  Banastre,  his 
“History  of  the  Campaigns  of 
1780  and  1781”  cited,  xiii,  135 
n ; sortie  by  his  cavalry,  52, 137  ; 
repulsed,  52,  138  ; wounded, 
138  ii. 

Tarrytown,  expedition  of  British 
frigates  to,  37,  118;  return  of 
the  expedition  to  New  York,  37, 
119;  attack  upon,  at  Dobbs’ 
Ferry,  ib. 

Ternay,  Chevalier  de,  commander 
of  the  French  squadron,  3,  4,  8, 
9,  13,  29,  77,  78,  84,  88,  89,  108; 
his  eugagementwith  an  English 
fleet  under  Capt. Cornwallis,  7,9, 
82,  84;  his  extreme  caution,  11, 
86;  death  of,  20,  98;  burial  of, 
98  n. 

“ Terrible,”  74-gun  ship;  blown 
up,  52,  138. 

Thacher’s  “Military  Journal,” 
cited,  117  n,  118  n,  119  n,  122  n, 
125  n,  135  n,  136  n,  137  n,  160  n. 

Thirty-third  regiment  of  the  British 
army  surrenders  at  Yorktown, 
62,  151. 

Thompson,  Benjamin,  Count  Bum- 
ford,  Reuwick’s  life  of,  cited,  xii. 

Tiiuillières,  Capt.  de,  arrival  of, 
at  Newport,  19,  96. 

Ticknor,  George,  viii. 

Tilly,  M.  le  Gardeur  de,  81  n; 
expedition  to  the  Chesapeake 
under,  22,  100;  his  return  to 
Rhode  Island,  22, 101  ; notice  of, 
100  n ; engagement  with  the 
English  squadron,  25,  104. 

Totolia  Falls,  42  n,  124  n. 

Touraine,  regiment  of,  on  special 
duty  at  Yorktown,  53,  139. 

Trenton,  the  army  crosses  the 
Delaware  at,  42,  125,  163. 


INDEX. 


175 


Trumbull,  Col.  John,  his  picture 
of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis, 
xii,  xiii;  his  “Reminiscences” 
cited,  xii  n,  xiii. 

Trumbull,  Gov.  Jonathan,  of 
Connecticut,  97  n. 

Trumbull,  J.  Hammond,  90  n. 

Turpin,  M.  de,  69,  160;  notice  of, 
160  n. 

Twenty-third  regiment  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  surrenders  at  York- 
town,  62,  151. 

“ Two  letters  respecting  the  conduct 
of  Bear  Admiral  Graves,”  cited, 
154  n,  155  n. 

Y 

Valette,  Lt.-Col.  de  la,  16,  93; 
commands  the  brigade  of  Soi- 
sonnois,  40,  122. 

Vax  Wart,  Isaac,  one  of  the  cap- 
tors  of  André,  96  n. 

Vauban,  Count  de,  at  the  capture 
of  the  redoubts  before  York- 
town,  60,  148  ; his  gallant  con- 
duct, 69,  159. 

Vaughan,  General,  80  n. 

“ Venus,”  the,  French  ship  of  war, 
3.  77. 

Verplaxck’s  Point,  camp  at,  41, 

123,  163;  Gen.  Heath  at,  42, 

124. 

“ Ville  de  Paris,”  the,  1 10-gun  ship, 
63,  153;  notice  of,  153  n. 

Villebrune,  Capt.  de  la,  arrives 
at  Annapolis,  46,  130. 

Viomesnil,  Baron  de,  xi,  148  n; 
report  by,  to  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau,  xv  ; in  temporary 
command  of  the  army  at  New- 
port, 18, 95  ; his  preparation  for 
defence,  ib.  ; expedition  under, 
sails  from  Newport,  23,  102; 
proceeds  to  Providence,  31,  111; 
review  of  the  troops  by,  32, 
113;  in  command  of  the  rear 
guard  of  the  army,  40,  122  ; halt 
at  Lark’s  house,  ib.  ; his  limited 
means  of  transportation  at  Bal- 
timore, 45,  128;  he  determines 
to  march  his  troops  to  Virginia, 

45,  129  ; marches  to  Annapolis, 

46,  131  ; reconnoissance  by,  50, 


136;  advances  his  patrols,  52, 
138  ; orders  au  attack  on  the 
enemy’s  redoubts,  56,  142;  his 
measures  for  the  defence  of  the 
captured  redoubts,  60,  146  ; let- 
ter from,  to  Count  William  de 
Deux-Ponts,  16  October,  1781, 
66, 156  ; account  rendered  to  the 
Count  de  Rochambeau  of  the 
attack  on  the  redoubts  at  York- 
town,  67,  157. 

Viomesnil,  M.  de,  aide-de-camp, 
69,  159. 

Virien,  Henriette,  Marquise,  x. 

W 

Washington,  Gen.  George,  33, 42, 
114,  124;  letter  from,  cited,  xi; 
bequest  to,  in  Dr.  Franklin’s  will, 
xiii  ; his  threatened  movement 
against  New  York,  17,  94;  his 
interview  with  Rochambeau  at 
Hartford,  18,  94  ; his  arrival  at 
Newport,  23,  101;  received  with 
the  honors  of  a Marshal  of 
France,  ib.  ; leaves  Newport, 
24, 103;  interview  with  Rocham- 
beau at  Wethersfield,  30,  109; 
at  New  Windsor,  30,  31,  110, 
111  ; makes  a requisition  for  the 
militia  of  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island,  31,  112;  leaves 
New  Windsor  for  Peekskill,  34, 
115;  plans  an  attack  upon  Clin- 
ton, ib.  ; covers  the  retreat  of 
Lincoln’s  forces,  35,  116;  union 
of  the  French  and  American 
armies  at  Plnllipsburg,  ib.  ; re- 
views the  French  troops,  36, 
117  ; reconnoissance  by,  38,  120; 
leaves  Verplanck’s  Point,  41, 
124  ; impression  of  his  charac- 
ter, as  received  by  Count  Wil- 
liam de  Deux- Ponts,  43  n,  126  n ; 
letter  from  W.  Gist  to,  cited, 
132  n ; at  Williamsburg,  ib.  ; 
advances  the  American  lines  at 
Yorktown,  49,  134;  gives  to  the 
regiments  of  Agenois  and  Deux- 
ponts  two  pieces  of  captured 
ordnance,  in  testimony  of  their 
gallantry,  147  n ; extract  from  a 
letter  of,  149  n,  150  n ; his  sat- 


176 


INDEX. 


isfaction  at  the  success  of  the 
attacks,  70,  161. 

Washington,  Gen.  George.  “Re- 
collections and  Private  Memoirs 
of,  cited,  132  n. 

Waterman’s  Tavern,  the  army  at, 
32,  113,  163. 

Watson’s  “ Annals  of  Philadel- 
phia,”  cited,  126  n. 

West  Point,  42,  124. 

Whippany,  42,  125,  163. 

White  Marsh,  Md.,  the  army  at, 
44,  128,  163. 

William,  Baron  of  Zweibrück,  ix. 

William,  Count  de  Deux-Ponts, 
vii,  ix  ; see  Deux-Ponts. 

William,  Duke  of  Bavaria  and 
Deux-Ponts,  xiv. 

Williams,  David,  one  of  the  cap- 
tors  of  André,  96  n. 

Williamsburg,  Washington  at,  132 
n;  the  army  encamped  at,  48, 
133,  163;  march  of  the  army 
from  to  Yorktown,  48,  134,  163; 
occupied  by  French  troops,  63, 
152. 

Wilmington,  Del.,  encampment  at, 
43,  127,  163. 

Windham,  Conn.,  Bochambeau’s 
troops  at,  32,  113,  163;  lire  in 
the  woods  near  the  camp,  ib.  n. 

Wittgenstein,  Count,  ix. 

Y 

Yankee  Doodle,  played  at  the  sur- 
render of  Cornwallis,  151  n. 

York  Island,  38,  120. 

York  River,  44,  53,  127,  139  ; at- 
tack on  a redoubt  near,  58,  144. 

Yorktown,  Trumbull’s  painting  of 
the  capitulation  at,  xii,  xiii  ; 
Count  William  de  Deux-Ponts 
distinguished  at,  xiii  ; captured 
privateers  taken  to,  22,  100  ; the 
“Charon,”  frigate,  burned  at,  100 


ii  ; siege  of,  111  to,  131  to;  encamp- 
ment of  the  allied  army  near,  48, 
134, 163;  advance  of  the  Ameri- 
can lines,  49,  134  ; evacuation  of 
the  English  advanced  posts,  ib.  ; 
reconnoissance  by  Bochambeau, 
49,  135;  by  Yiomesnil,  50,  136; 
occupation  of  the  abandoned 
redoubts,  ib.  ; the  enemy’s  fire 
slackened,  51,  137;  sortie  by 
Tarleton,  repulsed  by  Lauzun, 
52,  138;  advance  of  the  patrols, 
ib.  ; opening  of  the  trenches,  53, 
139;  details  for  duty  in  the 
trenches,  54,  140  ; opening  of 
the  batteries,  ib.  ; construction 
of  the  second  parallel,  55,  141  ; 
attack  on  a redoubt,  58,  145  ; 
the  work  carried,  59,  146  ; casu- 
alties in  the  assault,  60,  147  ; 
the  second  parallel  completed, 

61,  149;  sortie  by  the  enemy, 
ib.  ; a flag  of  truce  from  Lord 
Cornwallis,  62,  150;  articles  of 
capitulation  signed,  ib.  ; the 
English  army  prisoners  of  war, 

62,  151;  the  anniversary  of  the 
surrender  celebrated,  151  «; 
number  of  prisoners  captured, 
62,  152  ; the  French  army  goes 
into  winter  quarters  near,  ib.  ; 
letter  from  the  Baron  de  Yio- 
mesnil to  Count  William  de 
Deux-Ponts,  written  from,  66, 
156  ; account  by  the  Baron  de 
Viomesnil  of  the  attack  on  the 
redoubts  at,  67,  157  ; route  of 
march  of  the  army  from  New- 
port to,  163. 

Z 

Zweibrück,  Barons  of,  viii.  See 
Deux-Ponts. 

Zweibrücken,  town  of,  xiv. 


